Fish in a Tree

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
NPMS Mrs. Weiers' copy paperback 272 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction

I had read a small section of this a while back when I subbed in Mrs. Bowers' room. Then I saw it on Mrs. Weiers' desk Monday and started reading it from the beginning. Well . . . I borrowed it today and finished it! What a lovely book!

Sixth grader Ally Nickerson is really good at drawing and figuring things out, but she struggles to read. She is teased by some of the mean girls at school (mostly Shay) and gets in trouble a lot. When her teacher goes on maternity leave and Mr. Daniels shows up, Ally's world is changed! I wish all teachers were like Mr. Daniels!

Page 63 - "I'm not perfect, but at least I'm not mean. And then my heart sinks, because I realize that I just was. I guess I did it because I was lonely. Now I know that there are worse things than being lonely."

Page 106-7 - The scene where Ally tells Albert and Keisha how she got on Shay's bad side . . . too funny!

Page 142 - "I'd rather be in charge of teaching cats to play hockey."

Page 158 - "'You are smart, Ally. And you are going to learn to read.' A chill runs through my whole body. I don't have any choice but to believe him, because I can't go another day thinking things will be like this forever."

Page 184 - "And I think of words. The power they have. How they can be waved around like a wand - sometimes for good, like how Mr. Daniels uses them. How he makes kids like me and Oliver feel better about ourselves. And how words can also be used for bad. To hurt."

Page 273-4 Her "Dear Readers" note at the end . . . I love it as much as the book! Ally is a wonderful protagonist who cares deeply about her family and her new friends. This book is as much about celebrating the best in humanity as it is about learning to read.

The above was written 3/17/2019. On 1/13/2020, I finished listening to the audio version, read by Kathleen McInerney. The skeptic in me doesn't think a student could make it all the way to sixth grade without an educator realizing she has dyslexia and cannot read, but the realist in me knows that students who move a lot often get lost in the shuffle. Also, some kids come up with excellent coping mechanisms that deceive the adults about what's really going on. This is a wonderful book, especially Ally and her brother Travis, their love for their parents and their grandpa, the "Silver Dollar" and "Wooden Nickel" days, . . . .  

 

In April 2021, I read it *again* while subbing at New Prague High School. The media specialist had bought it for some of her students with learning challenges. I had time, so read it a third time! Hunt is such an amazingly talented author. I cried as I finished this book! I love Ally Nickerson, her teacher, and her love for her brother. I love the impact their grandpa had on them. I love this book! 

8.18.2023 - Yes, I really do like this book a lot. I listened while at work (Libby app). Kathleen McInerney does a wonderful job. Kudos to Hunt for writing such an incredible book.