Fish in a Tree

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During a social studies unit, Mr. Daniels asks the class to tell him about famous people including Albert Einstein, George Washington, and Henry Ford. Mr. Daniels explains that it's believed that those people had dyslexia, but they still changed the world. Ally is shaken to learn that others likely thought they were stupid too. Over the next few days, Ally's classmates tell her that they think it's cool she has dyslexia. Shay's followers even stop participating in the bullying and leave their friendship bracelets on Shay's desk. Ally tries to reach out to Shay, but Shay responds meanly. Living in a world of impossible things like in ‘Alice in wonderland’.....in a world where nothing makes sense makes perfect sense to Ally. Jessica is Shay's best friend and, as Ally sees it, her shadow. She describes Jessica as having few personality traits or interests of her own, as her main goal seems to be following Shay and… To be honest, this book was an unexpected gem for me. I liked the cover and I was in for some new books from NetGalley, but I didn't think it would be awesome, I expected a pleasant enough read at most. Turned out it was quite the amazing book after all. In a novel where the overall themes teach kids to be proud of what makes them different, why does Hunt feel the need to be so ordinary?

Later, Ally and Keisha learn that Albert always wears a shirt that reads "Flint" because Flint is his favorite Star Trek character. Flint lives on his own planet to escape unkind people, and Albert finds this appealing. That afternoon, Keisha and Albert come to Petersen's for ice cream. Keisha tries to convince Albert to fight the bullies who beat him up every day, but he refuses. I so enjoyed the teacher, Mr. Daniels, who steps up and fills the Teacher shoes as they should be filled! The reader is shown Ally’s successes sprinkled in with the failures – which were not failures at all – again, words functioning as a box/trap. They are just words – slippery, and that often totally change over time. I’m looking forward to the day when “failure” loses its crippling aspect and develops something more along the line this book treats it: a learning event. Ally’s support group, even those who try and trip her up every day become subjects of consideration showing behavior grows out of a person’s daily experiences. There is a reason they do what they do, and investigation reveals sooooo much. Entertaining dialogue . . . Ally’s descriptions of her ‘mind movies’ are creative and witty. . . . The treatment of a group of sixth-graders with various quirks who face down their bullies extends the book’s interest beyond the immediate focus on dyslexia.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books A popular and sporty boy in Ally's class. He loves parties and wants to throw one at school at every opportunity. Though he hangs out with Shay, Jessica, and the other popular girls… The humor balances the darker themes of bullies, anger, and misunderstandings. Ally tells Albert and Keisha why Shay is hell-bent on making her life miserable and it is easy to see why they don't get along. And it is Ally's fault. I won't spoil it, because it is so Ally. Needless to say Ally's mistake and Shay's relentless put-down's are understandable. Shay's mother is a bully, as well as her daughter, making Shay's character more understandable and engaging. The author creates strong characters that pull the reader into the plot along with themes such as self-acceptance, confidence, and communication, to name a few.Our hearts attach ourselves to this young girl immediately. Our heart continues to grow as we journey with Ally at school... with her teacher, and classmates.

Apparently I'm in the minority in proclaiming there to be way more wrong with Fish in a Tree than there is right. Books like Fish In A Tree highlight the importance of self-advocacy and asking for help when needed. These books promote the idea that everyone is unique and valuable and that anyone can achieve their goals with perseverance and support and positively impact the world around them. 10 Books Like Fish In A Tree (Children’s Books On Disability)Guess what! There's a bully! And she's prissy! And there's a robotically intelligent science geek! And he gets beaten up! By different bullies! And there's a Japanese girl named Suki who speaks in broken caveman-English (ugh). Although, I did find Shay (typical mean girl) to be a bit unrealistic. If someone was actually THAT mean to everyone, she wouldn't have any friends. Even her school yard minions would soon leave. She was relentlessly vindictive, and it never stopped. What type of monster does that?