Fish in a Tree

By: Lynda Hunt

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

The author of the beloved One for the Murphys gives listeners 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.

©2015 Lynda Mullaly Hunt (P)2015 Listening Library (Audio)

Great book but...not just dyslexia

As someone with severe dyslexia, I think this is a great book. Students, parents, siblings, teachers and everyone should absolutely read this book. However, there is one important error. The parts where the girl talks about the letters moving is NOT dyslexia and it is important to understand that piece of the puzzle. I have no doubt the girl is dyslexic. But she also, probably, has a condition called Irlen Syndrome or Scoptic Sensitivity (a neurologically based visual processing disorder in which certain wave lengths of light over stimulate part of the brain especially in high contrast settings--black text on white paper) and can be very very easily diagnosed and resolved. I was diagnosed with both dyslexia and Irlen syndrome at the age of 27. My mother and brother were also diagnosed with it. In the course of an hour a professional diagnosed the Irlen syndrome and changed my life. I still have dyslexia, but letters don't move around and I don't see rivers on the page or flashing lights and that helps. This isn't a well recognized disorder in the U.S. and your eye doctor probably won't be any help because you can have perfect vision and still have Irlen syndrome. The author is at no fault for being unaware of this condition. There just isn't enough awareness of the disorder in the U.S. I think the author did a wonderful job with this book! I only write this review, and I don't write reviews often, because I do not want any child with Irlen Syndrome, with or without dyslexia, to go through life struggling when that piece of the puzzle can so very easily be resolved and make their lives a bit easier.

Fantastico!

I was drawn into the story as I am a teacher and have dyslexic students in my room. Fish In a Tree could be a game changer!

Every teacher should read this story! Eye opener!

If you could sum up Fish in a Tree in three words, what would they be?

My 12 year old daughter totally related to Ally in the story. Many of Ally's struggles were all to familiar. As a parent this story really opened my eyes. My daughter kept saying, that's ne, that's what reading is like, that happens to me. Helped me understand what my daughter is dealing with in a daily basis.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr. Daniels and Keisha

Which scene was your favorite?

When she compared the classmates to chess. And sharing the flowers with Keisha

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. But we listened to it on a road trip.

Any additional comments?

Daughter is doing her summer book report on this. First book ever that she got excited about. She's listened to it a few more times and says it's her favorite book. Mainly because she relates to Ally and shares the struggles with dyslexia, low esteem it can cause and the mean girl bullying.

On the way to school every morning

Listened to this with my 9 year old son. We both liked it very much. It was a good follow up to the Wonder series.

Fantastic!

Such an amazing view inside the mind of a young child with dyslexia. Having experience with this type of thing, I can tell you, it is a very authentic representation of what it is like to deal with these issues. I wish there were more books in the world like this one. Thank you Lynda Hunt!!

ally is such a inspiration to ( I have dyslexia)

I love this book this is the first book I ever read on adabel and I enjoyed it so much I can really relate to this book because like ally I have dyslexia and I hope just like here I can find some help from a special teacher just like Mr. daniel.

Best book

I loved this book because ally is like me she has Dyslexia and it makes me happy to there are books that have characters like me so that is why I love this book

Perspective changer

I’m a teacher and this book hit home harder than any book I’ve ever read. Everyday I battle with students to complete their work and stay on task. Ally and her story has completely changed my perspective. This book is amazing. A need to read for all ages.

Beautiful.

This book is truly special. I could go on and on about the writing, the voice, the richly developed characters, but it's the heart of the book that will get you. These pages will find a permanent home in your thoughts and your view of your own POSSIBLE.

My Review

Really good book! Really explains what it is like to have dislexiea. I hope you enjoy!