DaNae's Reviews > Fish in a Tree

Thank you.

Ugh. Yes. I really disliked this book. As an educator, I found it rather insulting - and the characterization of the Too Cool Good Guy Teacher was enough to make me barf literary chunks.

It was a fantasy book and it gave a story around it.

LOL, Joe.

But, didn't she move from school to school every year because her dad was in the army/military? That would probably make it challenging to keep track of all her school records from school to school. Also, there was that one teacher (3rd grade) that said something to her mom about Ally being a slower learner, but her mom ignored it. I almost wonder ever since third grade, if her mom sort of pushed the importance of reading aside even more so. I was a teacher and have seen something similar happen, unfortunately and the mom, super nice, but completely in denial of her child's reading ability. Surprise, surprise, it was pointed out and he moved to another school. It's unfortunate, but I can see it happening.

Not in 2017, I don't think. But, in the author's own life experience? Also -- I remember early 2000s, I had a student who was not diagnosed with dyslexia until 5th grade - AND we do a LOT of diagnoses...

I'm weary of education continually used as a scapegoat in children's fiction. I understand the need to have an antagonist. A bad teacher, or indifferent administration, here and there is to be expected. But I see, every day, educators working tirelessly to catch every single child. Whether they've been with the school since Kindergarten, or just walked through the door. This book just came at the wrong time, and I couldn't buy it.

I’m also a teacher and I 100% agree with you.

If she is moving every year, that is increasing the number of people who would be seeing her work and evaluating. This girl can't read or write- they don't need to "track" anything.

i find it very resonable that she is in six grade and can barly read. i have had similer experiences. i find educaters to be blind to kids with disability.

Thank you. I agree.


DaNae wrote: "I'm weary of education continually used as a scapegoat in children's fiction. I understand the need to have an antagonist. A bad teacher, or indifferent administration, here and there is to be expe..."

Roxanne Hsu wrote: "Not in 2017, I don't think. But, in the author's own life experience? Also -- I remember early 2000s, I had a student who was not diagnosed with dyslexia until 5th grade - AND we do a LOT of diagno..."

This novel was engaging for sure, but I struggled with wondering how realistic the protagonist's point of view was. Ally's voice tells us how dumb she is just a little too often. I see what the author is try to get the reader to see, but it's too forced - as are many other aspects of this book. It feels like the author is trying a bit too hard.
Still, I am glad to see literature of this type becoming more mainstream.

My son was not diagnosed with Dyslexia until 8th grade and I am the one that pushed for it. Once tested his IQ was off the charts and his memory was so good he masked his poor reading skills without anyone knowing the difference. He was also a genius in Math so no one thought a thing about it. He was so smart he was able to play the game and get by. So it does happen and it happens a lot more then you think.
In fact, the state we live in doesn’t even recognize Dyslexia as a learning difference and in the public school system you can only hold your child back once and not until 3rd grade. There are so many kids that are falling threw the cracks and it’s not the teachers fault; it’s the system’s fault. We are blessed to have the means to help our son but there are so many families that don’t.

.It happens. I have met some kids like that who have been passed along the system and still can't read..

Only one star this book is fiction not supposed to be 100% logical

I agree with Liam

I totally disagree. There are many lessons in this book.

Girl, that happens all the time.

What is the problem? That's the age they noticed my asperger's syndrome.

ya didnt u read the book

Wasn’t diagnosed with dyscalculia until I was 24, it happens.

I made it to 9th grade before I got my help for my dyslexia

My husband was put in special Ed in high school because he had learning difficulties and the teachers all throughout his life told him that he was lying when he told them he was struggling. So I don’t find it hard to believe.

You know what is wrong with you it happens

my dad made it till 4th grade not being able to read. his father noticed his problem not the teachers

Happens so much. Happened to me with basic math.

My sister was in fifth grade when someone finally noticed it. The author also leaves a note in the back of the book that in sixth grade her fifth grade teacher picked up on her learning difference. The book was modeled after her life as well as some of the characters. So yeah I’d say it’s possible.

exactly!!!

She was in 7 schools before getting to sixth grade. Bless you apparently have a reading disability. There is no age limit on getting help.

I was 14 when I was diagnosed with dyslexia!

Yea. It happens. And it wasn’t that she CAN’T, but it took hours for her to write something. And she went to seven school in seven years, so she never changed the classes really fast without anyone noticing. It’s not impossible.