Name: Fish in a Tree
ISBN: 9780399162596

Fish in a Tree

amelia <3

“Everyone is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it’ll spend its whole life thinking its stupid”

Sarah Sammis

Annie

"...All the words block my path to getting there.” 
- Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Fish in a Tree

3.5/5 Read #110 of this year.

This book was very cute and relatable to me. Even though the main character has dyslexia, I felt like she was a relatable character in several other areas. She has moved around a lot, always been behind in school, and was constantly being bullied in school. Since the whole story is told in her point of view, you get to see from a child's opinion on schools and teachers. Ally faces the problem that schools and teachers constantly were giving up on her, which is a thing that happens constantly in the real world. I know because I was there. But in this story she ends up getting a better teacher who puts in time with her. I never have seen or had this teacher, however, as a teacher myself now, I want to be this teacher. This novel was also deemed as a Young Adult novel, but because it was in the point of view and voice of a child who is in middle school or elementary school, its very much more a middle grade. Because of this point, the writing was lower and much more juvenile, leading me to read it very quickly in one sitting. Overall this book was not bad, but it was not the best due to the writing style. I was expecting more coming into this story but I wasn't really let down just a little deflated.

Analise Amaral

This officially is the best middle grade book I have ever read and may be my new favorite book in general. I fell in love with every one of the characters that I never wanted the book to end. Ally, Keisha, and Albert will forever be my favorite friend group in a book, and Mr. Daniels will forever be my favorite teacher in a book. I recommend this book for literally anyone of any age, and I will for sure reread this book for years to come.

Grace Sethi

I’ve read this too many times to count and it’s one of my comfort reads!

Nadine 

#dyslexia - story of a girl struggling to read and the teacher who helps her make it possible- suitable for 10+

Jeni Enjaian

I absolutely loved this book. If only it did not take me so long to finally read it. I first put it on the list when the media specialist at my old school chose this book for the summer reading program. I did not get to it that summer since I worked through two years of South Carolina Librarian Association awards nominees.
While I think a handful of the characters, the teacher going out on maternity leave for example, feel rather flat, that does not take away from the plot. Hunt portrays the protagonist's struggles so well. I long to be the teacher like that long term substitute who came in and changed her life, a beautifully sweet story.

Nadia Leontescu

Everything in this book screamed wholesome and I enjoyed the young, passionate friendships and cute, pretty simple drama. It was definitely a refreshing, different book than most of the things I've been reading recently.

Ashley Dellefave

I went into this not knowing much about it. I kept an open mind throughout and knew that the story and its characters would send a positive message to younger people who may be struggling with their identities and school and everything that comes with being a kid. While I do think that people of all ages can learn something from it, it kind of just felt like I was reading tween fiction and was definitely too much of an easy read, which is why I ended up giving it 3 stars.

Jo H

I read this as part of a group BOM discussion and is the first kids' book I have read since I think I was a kid. 

I appreciated the story and the messages it sent but felt it was rather simplistic, even for a middle-grade story. Also, it seems that that author was aiming for representation, but ended up just throwing a bunch of stereotypes into the narrative
*young 'hip' heroic teacher saves the day
*socially awkward nerd that gets beat on
*underfed and not properly clothed kid (same character as above)
*popular bully girl and her mindless minion 
*sassy black girl
*awkward immigrant Asian girl
*almost out of control hyper kid
*clueless mother

Unless in overcrowded urban schools, how does a child get through six years of formal education without a single teacher realizing there's a problem? Is the system that results focused rather than learning focused? Also, how does said child's MOTHER not realize? Unless the mother has the same issues. I have to wonder given that both the kids did. 

I did, however, love the addition of Travis and him being not just an older brother but a BIG brother that obviously loved and took care of Ally.