Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Notes From Your Bookseller You'll smile from the first word to the last. This classic tells the story of Ally, a brilliant young girl who has had to hide her dyslexia her entire life. With the help of a dedicated teacher and a heartfelt friendship or two, this tale will uplift and inspire. A New York Times Bestseller? An emotionally-charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who's ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn't fit in. Fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts. --Kirkus Reviews Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there's a lot more to her--and to everyone--than a label, and that great minds don't always think alike. This paperback edition includes The Sketchbook of Impossible Things and discussion questions. Schneider Family Book Award? ALA Notable ? Global Read-Aloud Selection ? Crystal Kite Nerdy Book Award Editorial Reviews * Unforgettable and uplifting. . . . Deals with the hardships of middle school in a funny, yet realistic and thoughtful manner. Ally has a great voice, she is an unforgettable, plucky protagonist that the reader roots for from page one. This novel is a must-have.--School Library Connection, starred review * Filled with a delightful range of quirky characters and told with heart, the story also explores themes of family, friendship, and courage in its many forms. . . . It has something to offer for a wide-ranging audience. . . . Offering hope to those who struggle academically and demonstrating that a disability does not equal stupidity, this is as unique as its heroine.--Booklist, starred review * Mullaly Hunt again paints a nuanced portrayal of a sensitive, smart girl struggling with circumstances beyond her control. . . . Ally's raw pain and depression are vividly rendered, while the diverse supporting cast feels fully developed. . . . Mr. Daniels is an inspirational educator whose warmth radiates off the page. Best of all, Mullaly Hunt eschews the unrealistic feel-good ending for one with hard work and small changes. Ally's journey is heartwarming but refreshingly devoid of schmaltz.--School Library Journal, starred review [Hunt's] depiction of Ally's learning struggles is relatable, and Ally's growth and relationships feel organic and real.--Publishers Weekly Poignant. . . . Emphasis on 'thinking outside the box' . . . Ally's new friendships are satisfying, as are the recognition of her dyslexia and her renewed determination to read. Fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts. --Kirkus Reviews Reminiscent of Polacco's wonderful Thank You, Mr. Falker. . . . Ally's feeling of loneliness and desire to fit in will resonate with young teen readers, as many share those feelings without the difficulty of dyslexia. . . . A tribute to teachers who go the extra mile to reach every student. . . . A touching story with an important message.--Voice of Youth Advocates 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 Readers will . . . cheer for this likable girl. --The Horn Book - From the Publisher 12/01/2014 Sixth-grader Ally Nickerson has been to seven schools in seven years, and the same thing happens at each one: she spends more time in the principal's office than in class. The pattern is repeating at Ally's current school until a long-term substitute teacher, Mr. Daniels, discovers that Ally is acting out to hide the fact that she can't read. Ally is deeply ashamed and has bought into what others have told her--that she's dumb and worthless--but Mr. Daniels helps her understand that she has dyslexia and see her talents and intelligence. As Ally's fragile confidence grows, she connects with two other classroom outsiders, Albert and Keisha. Hunt (One for the Murphys) leans heavily on familiar types (a two-dimensional mean-girl and her sycophantic best friend, a teacher with unconventional methods) and a surfeit of relevant metaphors (coins valuable because of their flaws, former planet Pluto--Too small. Too far away. Orbit not just right--and so on). Nevertheless, her depiction of Ally's learning struggles is relatable, and Ally's growth and relationships feel organic and real. Ages 10-up. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Feb.) - Publishers Weekly Filled with a delightful range of quirky characters and told with heart, the story also explores themes of family, friendship, and courage in its many forms. . . . It has something to offer for a wide-ranging audience. . . . Offering hope to those who struggle academically and demonstrating that a disability does not equal stupidity, this is as unique as its heroine. - STARRED REVIEW Booklist *01/01/2015 Gr 4-6--In her second middle grade novel (One for the Murphys, 2012), Mullaly Hunt again paints a nuanced portrayal of a sensitive, smart girl struggling with circumstances beyond her control. Ally is great at math, and her ability to visualize moving pictures makes her an amazing artist, but she has a terrible secret: reading is almost impossible for her. By using her wits and adopting a troublemaking persona, she's been able to avoid anyone finding out a truth she is deeply ashamed of, but a new teacher at school seems to see right through the defenses she's built. While Ally struggles to accept the help that Mr. Daniels offers, she also deals with a father deployed in the Middle East, crushing loneliness, and an authentically awful set of mean girls at school. Ally's raw pain and depression are vividly rendered, while the diverse supporting cast feels fully developed. As the perceptive teacher who finally offers the diagnosis of dyslexia, Mr. Daniels is an inspirational educator whose warmth radiates off the page. Best of all, Mullaly Hunt eschews the unrealistic feel-good ending for one with hard work and small changes. Ally's journey is heartwarming but refreshingly devoid of schmaltz.--Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla, Darien Library, CT - School Library Journal Ally Nickerson has kept her learning difficulties hidden in seven different schools. But her sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Daniels, recognizes her troubles-and her vivid imagination. This story might be preachy without its quirky characters and Kathleen McInerney's energetic narration. McInerney balances the heartfelt emotions about struggle and friendship with a distinctive portrayal of every character, adding depth to the story. She voices Ally's discomfort in a way that seems painful, but she also projects Ally's strength when she stands up to a teacher who shows prejudice towards her friend Keisha. The other main characters are well defined-Keisha comes through clearly, and the robotic-sounding voice of Albert seems apt for his brilliance. Secondary characters are also clear, especially the kind Mr. Daniels and a menacing bully. S.W. AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine - JULY 2015 - AudioFile 2014-11-18 Hunt draws a portrait of dyslexia and getting along. Ally Nickerson, who's passed through seven schools in seven years, maintains a Sketchbook of Impossible Things. A snowman in a furnace factory is more plausible than imagining herself doing something right--like reading. She doesn't know why, but letters dance and give her headaches. Her acting out to disguise her difficulty causes headaches for her teachers, who, oddly, never consider dyslexia, even though each notices signs like inconsistent spellings of the same word. Ally's confusion is poignant when misunderstandings like an unintentional sympathy card for a pregnant teacher make her good intentions backfire, and readers will sympathize as she copes with the class mean girls. When a creative new teacher, Mr. Daniels, steps in, the plot turns more uplifting but also metaphor-heavy; a coin with a valuable flaw, cupcakes with hidden letters, mystery boxes and references to the Island of Misfit Toys somewhat belabor the messages that things aren't always what they seem and everyone is smart in their own ways. Despite emphasis on thinking outside the box, characters are occasionally stereotypical--a snob, a brainiac, an unorthodox teacher--but Ally's new friendships are satisfying, as are the recognition of her dyslexia and her renewed determination to read. Fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonder (2012) will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts. (Fiction. 10-12) - Kirkus Reviews