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leo_dog's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sbrewer71's review
4.0
This is an inspirational story about Ally and her struggle with reading due to her dyslexia. When Mr. Daniels begins to help Ally understand that she is unique in her thinking, Ally becomes the most loved student in her class. This book should be read by everyone as a reminder that we are different individuals and different in our thinking.
nahyee's review
5.0
Making the Impossible Possible
"Fish in a Tree" was another book that I read because my daughter is reading it for school. The book is a quick and excellent read. It's easy to identify at the beginning that Ally Nickerson has dyslexia, even without reading the description of the book. For those reviewers who called it "predictable," it's important to keep in mind that the book is targeted at grades 5-8. The daughter of a father in the military, Ally changes schools a lot, so she has never been diagnosed and displays classic avoidance techniques when it comes to assignments that require reading or writing. She is disruptive and gets sent to the office a lot. When her regular sixth-grade teacher goes out on maternity leave, her substitute is the one who recognizes the challenges Ally is facing. He doesn't let her get away with her avoidance and works with her to overcome the challenges of not being able to learn the way the other students do. He makes her realize that she is not dumb, which is what she wholeheartedly believes, and makes her realize that she wants to do well.
Throughout the book, we see Ally blossom in her ability and in her confidence -- going from thinking that it's impossible for her to read and write to seeing what is possible for her. We see her relationships with her classmates change, and we see the difference that a great teacher can make for a child. There are also plenty of examples of how children treat each other in school when they're away from their parents -- good, bad, and indifferent.
Everyone can take a lesson from this story, and it should be on every parent's reading list.
"Fish in a Tree" was another book that I read because my daughter is reading it for school. The book is a quick and excellent read. It's easy to identify at the beginning that Ally Nickerson has dyslexia, even without reading the description of the book. For those reviewers who called it "predictable," it's important to keep in mind that the book is targeted at grades 5-8. The daughter of a father in the military, Ally changes schools a lot, so she has never been diagnosed and displays classic avoidance techniques when it comes to assignments that require reading or writing. She is disruptive and gets sent to the office a lot. When her regular sixth-grade teacher goes out on maternity leave, her substitute is the one who recognizes the challenges Ally is facing. He doesn't let her get away with her avoidance and works with her to overcome the challenges of not being able to learn the way the other students do. He makes her realize that she is not dumb, which is what she wholeheartedly believes, and makes her realize that she wants to do well.
Throughout the book, we see Ally blossom in her ability and in her confidence -- going from thinking that it's impossible for her to read and write to seeing what is possible for her. We see her relationships with her classmates change, and we see the difference that a great teacher can make for a child. There are also plenty of examples of how children treat each other in school when they're away from their parents -- good, bad, and indifferent.
Everyone can take a lesson from this story, and it should be on every parent's reading list.
jlwlm12's review
5.0
Impossible to put down
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It is right along the lines of Wonder and makes you feel all good on the inside. Well written and much enjoyed!!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It is right along the lines of Wonder and makes you feel all good on the inside. Well written and much enjoyed!!
jennifercord's review
5.0
Amazing Book
I am so thrilled to have downloaded this book. It was absolutely a great underdog story and I'm so happy with the changes that happen for Ally in the story. Usually when reading I just read but this book had me highlighting amazing lines. Well done!!! Lynda Mullaly Hunt has a great book here. I can't wait to read this aloud to my class.
I am so thrilled to have downloaded this book. It was absolutely a great underdog story and I'm so happy with the changes that happen for Ally in the story. Usually when reading I just read but this book had me highlighting amazing lines. Well done!!! Lynda Mullaly Hunt has a great book here. I can't wait to read this aloud to my class.
mindfullibrarian's review
5.0
Every teacher must read this - most important middle grade book I have read since Wonder
somamom's review
5.0
I would recommend this book to any grade school to middle grade school kid that ever has had a problem struggling with not feeling good enough. I started reading this book and thought that my son could relate to it. One night as he as trying to fall asleep, i had him listen to the audio. He loved it and asked to read it again the next night (this is not typical of him).
kneessa's review
5.0
I loved this book so much! I can't wait to share it with my students.
2018 Popsugar Challenge - A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
2018 Popsugar Challenge - A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
stacyculler's review
4.0
A peek into the mind of a child with learning challenges
Easy to see how the frustrations of dyslexia could lead a child to mistaken behavior. Inspiring to see how a good support network, understanding and tenacity can lead to the same child coming into her own.
Easy to see how the frustrations of dyslexia could lead a child to mistaken behavior. Inspiring to see how a good support network, understanding and tenacity can lead to the same child coming into her own.