Book Cover
Justification
I chose Fish in a Tree for my realistic fiction selection for this blog. I wanted to represent some strong middle grader reader options in this group of books. Middle school literature can be a strange in between. There are a lot of books in the YA section that may be too much for sixth through eighth graders. While Fish in a Tree is technically a juvenile fiction book, it is still very appropriate for students in middle school grades and older. It contains themes that are relate-able for upper elementary through lower high school. Even as an adult, the novel resonated with me in a meaningful way. I am not alone in this sentiment. Fish in a Tree has received high praise from the reviewing community, been a national best seller, and won the Schneider Family Book Award for middle school books.
Evaluation
The first remarkable thing about this book is the accuracy used in the portrayal of Ally’s dyslexia. For years she has been shuffled from school to school and has been able to hide the fact that despite being in sixth grade, she still cannot read. “No matter how many times I have prayed and worked and hoped, reading for me is still like trying to make sense of a can of alphabet soup that’s been dumped on a plate. I just don’t know how other people do it” (Hunt, 2015, p. 10). Throughout the book we feel Ally’s agony and she tries to do well in school. Her character provides unique, first person descriptions of what it is like to live with dyslexia. The shame, confusion, struggles, and difficulties that come with this learning difference. Toward the end of the book, the teacher does a demonstration for the class of what it would be like to try to read with dyslexia. The students are dumbfounded by the jumbled words and the seemingly insurmountable task before them. The surrounding characters, and the reader leaves this novel with a deeper understanding of how difficult it would be to have dyslexia.
The next element of great writing we can see in this book is the character development. When we are first introduced to Ally at the beginning of the book, we meet a girl who is in trouble all the time without real reason. She is so frustrated and dismayed that she wishes she could disappear. When her home room teacher goes on maternity leave, we are introduced to Mr. Daniels. Mr. Daniels suspects very soon after meeting her that Ally suffers from dyslexia. He is patient, accommodating, and invests real time in her; a departure from previous teachers. As Mr. Daniels works with Ally, we see her begin to develop and grow, not only academically, but socially. The victim of perpetual bullying, she finds a group of friends who will stand by her in Albert and Keisha. Over the arc of the story we see Ally blossom in an inspiring way that leaves us hopeful for her future.
Finally, the theme of the book is expertly expressed throughout the novel. Beginning with the title, we get a glimpse of what the book will be about. The Einstein quote clues us to the theme of the novel. The pervasive message of the story is that individuality is a gift, not a curse. That everyone has a unique set of gifts that cannot be measured in exactly the same way. Mr. Daniels expresses this to Ally this way “’Now, don’t be so hard on yourself, okay? You know, a wise person once said, ‘Everyone is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking it’s stupid’” (Hunt, 2015, p. 159). The book beautifully shows the ways in which people are different and learn differently, but that is not something to be ashamed of, but to be celebrated.
Response
(A) As a former teacher, my heart broke for Ally. I taught many students who struggled and were behind academically because of learning differences or due to transient life styles that they had no control over. I watched as they tried to do their best on assignments knowing that they needed support to complete the task. I always tried to work in small groups or individually with those students to pre-teach the vocabulary needed for the task, or to de-brief after a whole group lesson before they began an individual assignment. (B) Though the educational system does as well as it can, there are still gaps and unfortunately students end up being the victims of these cracks. Fish in a tree showcased an incredible teacher who was willing to go way above and beyond for his student. While teachers do as much as they can for their students, this portrayal is unrealistic in most school settings. (G) Overall, I loved this book. It was a beautiful picture of a teacher trying to be there in tangible ways for his students. It highlighted the differences in all of us and how they should be seen as strengths, not weaknesses. It also was a touching depiction of friendship and how to stand up to bullying. However, there were things that bothered me about the story line. I was disappointed that it took a substitute to notice such a severe learning difference in a student. One of her primary teachers should have noticed something was amiss with a student like Ally. I also found it unrealistic that an incredible teacher like Mr. Daniels would be a substitute. That being said, it was a moving and lovely story of a student’s self-discovery.
Conclusion
Fish in a Tree is a wonderful book that highlights themes all students can relate to. Struggling with school and academic pressures, living with bullying at school, and feeling different than those around you. This novel addresses these issues in a moving way that will leave students comforted and teachers inspired. I would recommend this book for students in upper elementary school through middle school. It’s clear to see why so many have raved about Fish in a Tree.
APA Citation
Hunt, L.M. (2015). Fish in a tree. New York: Puffin Books.
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