Chapter IV, Sophomore Year - Spring 1996 Summary and Analysis

This chapter begins with the official letter the class wrote inviting Zlata Filipovic to Long Beach. Written by student Tommy Jefferson, the heart-felt letter outlines how life in California is similar to the war Filipovic lived through. Tommy lists the people close to him who have died in this "undeclared war" in America. He asks for Filipovic's help in dealing with the death of his friends and wonders how he can become free from this war.

The chapter continues with Erin Gruwell's twice-yearly entry. After their "champagne" toast kicking off the "Read-A-Thon for Tolerance," she witnessed a transformation in many of her students. She states that her once-apathetic students seemed to have turned into "scholars with a conscience." In fact, one of her students finished all the books on her reading...