FISH IN A TREE

As if life in the 6th grade is not hard enough, Ally Nickerson’s secret made it that much more difficult.  She was convinced there was no cure for her condition.  Ally never heard of being cured of dumbness, so she suffered everyday humiliations and refused to ask for help.  She has convinced herself it was better to misbehave and get sent to the principal’s office than let others know that she could not read.  

Ally was never given a chance to fit in until the new teacher, Mr. Daniels, arrived and he realized that Ally had learning difficulties. 

What could be the cause of Ally's problems? Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is a remarkable story! Hunt portrays the life of a young girl and the emotional turmoil she goes through.  Readers will connect with the characters in this realistic fiction. Do not miss out on this story all about endless possibilities! 

For grades 4-6

A SECRET REVEALED

From Theresa, Children’s Librarian at the Central Library

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

HUDSON HATES SCHOOL

Hudson cannot stand school especially on Fridays because that is spelling test day and Hudson has not learned his spellings. All his classmates laugh at him when he gets his spelling wrong and that makes him hates school even more. Fortunately, Hudson’s teacher recognizes signs of Dyslexia and Mr. Shapland is called in to help Hudson. He takes Hudson to the study room to give him some special tests. Mr. Shapland explains him that he has a learning difficulty called dyslexia. Soon Hudson begins taking lessons with children who also have dyslexia, and he starts to like school.Dyslexia is a learning disability in children affecting reading, writing and spelling. The last page of the book contains a short list of dyslexia disorders.Written by Ella Hudson. Beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations. Ages 4-8.