2 of 3 copies available
The gym is where Claire shines and she’s on her way to qualifying for the state championships. But at school, she’s known as a troublemaker—which is fine with her since it helps her hide her reading problem. Claire has never been able to make sense of the wobbling jumble of letters on a page.
When a sympathetic principal wonders if she’s acting out because she may have dyslexia, she’s stunned. Claire has always assumed she’s dumb, so she’s eager to get evaluated. But her mother balks. Afraid Claire will be labeled “stupid,” she refuses testing. Can Claire take on both her reading challenges and her mother’s denial? Is it worth jeopardizing her dream of the state championships?
Told in clear and poignant verse, Claire’s struggle with something that seems to come easily to everyone else will resonate with listeners and have them cheering her on.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
July 18, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593740163
- File size: 40903 KB
- Duration: 01:25:12
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from June 6, 2022
Fullerton (No More Plastic) authentically and compassionately portrays cued-white fifth grader Claire’s experience with dyslexia in this easily digestible verse novel. Claire excels at gymnastics and can pick up a routine faster than anyone in her gym. But at school, her difficulty reading (“Letters/ float, blur/ backward/ forward/ upside down/ all mixed up”), coupled with her classmates’ jeers, causes self-doubt. When vice principal Mr. McKay suggests she may have a learning disability, Claire is eager to undergo evaluation; her mother, however, who believes Claire just isn’t trying hard enough, refuses to get her tested. With help from her gymnastics teammates, older sister, best friend, and Mr. McKay, Claire is empowered to advocate for herself and what she needs to succeed. Printed in a typeface formatted for those with reading challenges, Fullerton’s flowing verse adeptly captures what dyslexia is like for Claire alongside her frustration around convincing her mother that she’s trying hard but needs assistance. This insightful story carries a strong message for teachers, caregivers, and children alike, and Mensinga’s emotive illustrations provide depth throughout. Ages 8–12. Agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary Agency.
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