Book Review: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Summary from Goodreads:

The author of the beloved One for the Murphys gives readers 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.
 
“Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.”
 
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.

My Thoughts:

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and I loved it so much that I plan to order a hard cover of this book for my own children to read.  Fish in a Tree was so wonderfully written and the message of turning the impossible into the possible is so important for children to hear.  I can't rave enough about this story.  I loved the main character, Ally.  She reminds me of so many students I have come across over the years as a reading specialist.  She is so incredibly smart but because of her learning differences, she feels so dumb and gives up on school.  She goes from year to year and school to school and no one figures out she has dyslexia - no one, that is, until Mr. Daniels comes along and believes in her and helps her see her strengths.  Ally also gets her courage from her two classmates, Albert and Keisha.  Both have struggles of their own, but together they become great friends who respect each other's differences and encourage each other throughout the story.  I have always been a fan of Lynda Mullaly Hunt's novels, but this one has now topped my recommendation list.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!