From a Dyslexia Tutor
I picked up Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, because my 12-year old granddaughter had just finished it and liked it. As a dyslexia tutor, I felt curious to see how the author presented her main character, a 6th grade girl with dyslexia. Even though the book is written at around 6th grade level, I found it grabbed me right from the first few pages. Hunt definitely understands what it’s like to be smart and dyslexic. School becomes a daily torture since everyone, teacher included, thinks that if you can’t read, you are stupid.
Fish in a Tree is Great for Dyslexic Kids
The heroine of this book suffers all the indignities usually visited on dyslexic kids in school. But she toughs it out. Importantly, she has a mom and deployed dad who make it clear they are a team, no matter what. A nice addition is her older brother, a gifted mechanic, who is also dyslexic. I recommend getting this book for any dyslexic kid you know. Be sure to ALSO get the audiobook, or set aside time to read the book aloud with them. You do the reading. Don’t make them read aloud!!! They can track along as you read and will get a lot more out of the book. This book makes a terrific jumping-off place for discussion about neurodiversity.
Great for Kids Who Aren’t Dyslexic
This book provides a wonderfully easy way to let kids who are not dyslexic experience what that would be like. One character describes looking at text and seeing the letters crawl around like ants. Fish in a Tree could open the door to more acceptance of neurodiversity in their peers. The book shows the importance of kindness and the ugliness of bullying.
Fish in a Tree
The title captures the spirit of this book. One of the characters quotes a line from Albert Einstein, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Hunt’s characters bring this quote to life in memorable and charming ways. Highly recommended.
by Yvonna Graham, M.Ed., www.dyslexiakit.net
@GrahamYvonna
To access Fish in a Tree and other great books as audiobooks, try Audible for $15/mo (affiliate link) or check out the paper book and the audiobook at your public library!
