This review was written for Be The Star You Are! Charity and published on The Reading Tub.
Ally Nickerson has dyslexia, which means that reading is so difficult, it often feels impossible for her. Fish in a Tree follows Ally’s increasing confidence and friendships as her new teacher Mr. Daniels helps her and her other classmates, some of whom also learn and behave differently. Ally learns many lessons about friendship, self-confidence, and support in her year with Mr. Daniels.
Each child character in Fish in a Tree is incredibly well developed for a novel aimed at middle-grade readers. Allies, antagonists, alike are given a personality, backstory, and chances for growth. We learn with Ally about her classmates as they change from acquaintances to friends. Hunt uses Ally and her friend to explore racial differences, economic class differences, and different learning disabilities, among others. She does this expertly while defining her characters by their vibrant personalities, not by defining them by their differences. Few authors can boast of this accomplishment.
Fish in a Tree is a must-read for anyone who reads at or above middle-grade level. Lynda Mullaly Hunt has given the world a chance to see through the eyes of child with different learning needs, something rarely encountered. A wonderful gift for parents, teachers, children, and yourself.
If you liked Fish in a Tree, you might like Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux, Ingrid Law’s Savvy (both focus on protagonists that are seen as different), Andrew Clements’ Frindle (focuses on teachers and students), Sharon Creech’s Ruby Holler (left a similar feeling in my heart at the end), or of course Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series (features a protagonist who has ADD and dyslexia).
Recommended Titles:
The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo
Savvy, Ingrid Law
Frindle, Andrew Clements
Heroes of Olympus, Rick Riordan
Ruby Holler, Sharon Creech
This review was written for Be The Star You Are! Charity and published on The Reading Tub.
Ally Nickerson has dyslexia, which means that reading is so difficult, it often feels impossible for her. Fish in a Tree follows Ally’s increasing confidence and friendships as her new teacher Mr. Daniels helps her and her other classmates, some of whom also learn and behave differently. Ally learns many lessons about friendship, self-confidence, and support in her year with Mr. Daniels.
Each child character in Fish in a Tree is incredibly well developed for a novel aimed at middle-grade readers. Allies, antagonists, alike are given a personality, backstory, and chances for growth. We learn with Ally about her classmates as they change from acquaintances to friends. Hunt uses Ally and her friend to explore racial differences, economic class differences, and different learning disabilities, among others. She does this expertly while defining her characters by their vibrant personalities, not by defining them by their differences. Few authors can boast of this accomplishment.
Fish in a Tree is a must-read for anyone who reads at or above middle-grade level. Lynda Mullaly Hunt has given the world a chance to see through the eyes of child with different learning needs, something rarely encountered. A wonderful gift for parents, teachers, children, and yourself.
If you liked Fish in a Tree, you might like Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux, Ingrid Law’s Savvy (both focus on protagonists that are seen as different), Andrew Clements’ Frindle (focuses on teachers and students), Sharon Creech’s Ruby Holler (left a similar feeling in my heart at the end), or of course Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series (features a protagonist who has ADD and dyslexia).
Recommended Titles:
The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo
Savvy, Ingrid Law
Frindle, Andrew Clements
Heroes of Olympus, Rick Riordan
Ruby Holler, Sharon Creech