“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.” (Lynda Hunt)
Content Qualities Overview
| Author: Lynda Hunt |
| Genre: Contemporary Fiction |
| Theme: Disability Awareness |
| Interest Age Range: 11 – 15 |
| Optimal for Grades: 5 – 8 |
| Guided Reading Level: X |
| Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) – There is some relatively mild violence present in the book related to bullying. In the story, a group of boys bully through physical violence. Their target eventually learns to face up to his fears and stand up for himself. A boy turns up to school with bruises and other visible injuries and abusive or neglectful parents are hinted at during the story, but it turns out peer bullying is actually the cause. – Cruel girls bully through language and emotional manipulation using name calling, ostracizing, and other actions designed to shame and belittle other girls. |
Themes
- Dyslexia
- Learning Disabilities
- Friendship
- Acceptance
- Diversity
Summary
This uplifting and awareness broadening novel examines the story of Ally’s journey from hating herself and thinking she is stupid and useless, to self-acceptance as she learns she is neither; she is instead smart in her own way. Ally has dyslexia and has extreme trouble reading and writing. Because of this, she has been to seven schools in seven years, and comes up with many ways to get out of reading, distracting her classmates and teacher by misbehaving in various ways. She is too afraid to ask for help or even let her teachers know that she cannot read. But one day, that special teacher arrives who recognizes her creativity and intelligence underneath the surface. Mr. Daniels values her for who she is and not for her ability to fit the mold. Throughout the school year, Ally learns to accept her unique struggles with learning, but also to appreciate her own strengths. She learns to open up to others about her feelings and struggles, not to be ashamed of her learning disability, and gains confidence. For the first time, Ally makes meaningful friendships, and with Mr. Daniels’ help, is able to enjoy school and find ways to complete assignments without constantly trying to evade them. The main lesson in this books that no one is just a label, there is a lot more to every person you meet beneath the surface.
Note to Parents
Fish in a Tree is a superb bibliotherapy title for anyone who has ever struggled with not fitting in, whether because of race or difference in ability, this includes both students who struggle with learning and academically gifted students. It also covers problems such as bullying, peer acceptance, and the negative effects of trying to hide a learning disability for a long period of time. The struggles Ally and her friends face in this book encompass a wide variety of issues and ways to deal with those issues, including all of the previously listed challenges and experiences. Making quick judgments about others without getting to know them might be the easy thing to do, but it leads only to stagnation, never growth.
Whether your child struggles with dyslexia or needs to learn to have empathy for others, Fish in a Tree is a spectacular work of contemporary fiction with relatable characters that challenges readers to develop understanding and acceptance for the different types of people around them. Different does not have to be bad. Being all the same would be boring. Kids are all talented, intelligent, and worthy of dignity, They just all struggle and excel in different areas. That is a message all middle schoolers need to be reminded of again and again as they embark on their own journey to forge their identity and choose what kind of person they will be.
Great news for those with print disabilities and those who just love audiobooks! This title is available at Audible.com