Ally, a sixth grader now at her seventh school, works hard
to hide her terrible secret from her teacher and classmates. It’s not that she
isn’t smart, she’s great at math and a talented artist. She’s also often in
trouble and spends a lot of time in the principal’s office. When Ally
inadvertently gives her teacher who was going on maternity leave a sympathy
card instead of a congratulations on the birth of your baby, it wasn’t done to
be mean but happened because she just does not know how to read. The kids in
her class particularly a couple of “mean girls” often bully and make fun of her
which makes school an even bigger challenge. When the new teacher takes over
the class he is much more difficult to fool than any of the other teachers have
been but fortunately for Ally he diagnoses her problem and offers to help.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullay Hunt deals with some very
sensitive issues, dyslexia, bullying, friendship and courage. She does not
sugar coat any of these but chooses to develop them fully in the middle school
setting. In the end there is no miracle cure but there is progress brought
about by small steps and lots of work. Ally is one of those characters that
most readers will be glad they met.
For readers in grades 4-6
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