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The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia
When Adam started kindergarten, the teacher wanted him to learn about letters. But “p” looked like “q,” and “b” looked like “d.” Adam would rather color or mold clay. In first grade, his teacher wanted him to put the letters into words so he could read. That was the beginning of the Alphabet War. “Was” looked like “saw,” and “there” looked like “then.” Almost everyone else in his class was learning to read, but Adam was fighting a war against letters.
In second grade, he had to learn to spell, which was also impossible. Now he was so frustrated he got into trouble and had to go to the principal’s office. At last, in third grade, he got the right kind of help. Slowly he began to do better. During fourth grade, he learned that he could excel in other things. That gave him the confidence to take chances with reading. One day he found himself reading a book all by himself!
In second grade, he had to learn to spell, which was also impossible. Now he was so frustrated he got into trouble and had to go to the principal’s office. At last, in third grade, he got the right kind of help. Slowly he began to do better. During fourth grade, he learned that he could excel in other things. That gave him the confidence to take chances with reading. One day he found himself reading a book all by himself!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
6 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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October 18, 2013Being a Special education teacher, I enjoyed this book and felt that I was reading about many of my students. The story is about a boy named Adam, who is having trouble learning letters and sounds, and being able to put those together to make words and read. His teachers show concern and they put a plan in place for him. He is given a special teacher that helps him learn differently and to make the connections when letters/sounds are put together. Though it is challenging for Adam, he makes progress, and realizes that he is smart at other things besides reading. Yet when he works hard on his reading he is getting better and better.
What I loved about this book was that it helps to show students that everybody learns differently. Some things that are easy for one student may not be as easy for another. Adam is able to complete a hands on activity faster than some of his peers, and this really helps him in believing in himself.
Many of the students I teach, struggle in the area of reading and writing. But I know when working with them to help them not reach a frustrational level, is to use a lot of positive reinforcement to encourage them to keep trying their best.
What I loved about this book was that it helps to show students that everybody learns differently. Some things that are easy for one student may not be as easy for another. Adam is able to complete a hands on activity faster than some of his peers, and this really helps him in believing in himself.
Many of the students I teach, struggle in the area of reading and writing. But I know when working with them to help them not reach a frustrational level, is to use a lot of positive reinforcement to encourage them to keep trying their best.
August 31, 2020
This book takes readers on Adam’s journey through elementary school and his battle with dyslexia. It shows the different challenges he faces in each grade and the emotional state as well. This is a great example of children’s literature as it gives “Issues and characters that young readers can identify with.” (Blasingame, J. (2007). Books that don’t bore 'em. Scholastic.) The Alphabet War is a marvelous book to help students understand dyslexia. Whether the children struggle to read, or they are a natural reader, kids will gain empathy and understanding of their peers who struggle to read.
If you enjoyed this book I recommend “Lines, Squiggles, Letters, Words” By: Ruth Rocha
Reading Level – 2nd-3rd grade
If you enjoyed this book I recommend “Lines, Squiggles, Letters, Words” By: Ruth Rocha
Reading Level – 2nd-3rd grade
May 27, 2021
As Adam begins school his teacher tries to teach him his letters and he learns. But, as time passes and he moves from grade to grade Adam realizes ok, just isn't good enough. He just can't do it, when he sees his friends read and learn he becomes sad and discouraged. That's when something changes, and Adam starts to realize he can do it. Follow Adam into The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb.
The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia, is an example of a quality inclusive text, because it is written about someone with a disability. Although Adam's disability is not visible, the it's still there, dyslexia is defined by The Merriam-Webster Dictionary as an often familial learning disability involving difficulties processing language, manifested by a lack of proficiency in reading, spelling and writing. Adams issues with the words and sounds can be seen when he says "but b and d looked too much alike. So did p and q." His disability was not evident in the beginning when other students called him a "Kindergarten baby" because neither he nor they understood what was happening. Until, he was taught and realized that "he wasn't dumb. He was just a different kind of thinker." Children's Literature, Briefly chapter 6, states that books that represent individuals with intellectual or physical challenges deserve to be represented in literature in honest, positive ways to offer readers a better understanding of their lives. Inclusive books like The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia and others offer a window into the world of people with disabilities and their lives, thus allowing readers to see all people as valuable and equal.
This story touched my heart as I know and love several people with dyslexia, and they have become and still are amazing, smart and successful individuals. The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb makes Adam see that he is perfect just the way he is and allows him to succeed. From the eyes of my seven year old, she identified with Adam's trouble reading, and was overjoyed when he was happy again. "Because, reading is hard!", she said.
If Diane Burton Robb's The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia is a story that touched your heart like it did ours you may want to read My Name Is Brain Brian or Fish in a Tree. Enjoy!
The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia, is an example of a quality inclusive text, because it is written about someone with a disability. Although Adam's disability is not visible, the it's still there, dyslexia is defined by The Merriam-Webster Dictionary as an often familial learning disability involving difficulties processing language, manifested by a lack of proficiency in reading, spelling and writing. Adams issues with the words and sounds can be seen when he says "but b and d looked too much alike. So did p and q." His disability was not evident in the beginning when other students called him a "Kindergarten baby" because neither he nor they understood what was happening. Until, he was taught and realized that "he wasn't dumb. He was just a different kind of thinker." Children's Literature, Briefly chapter 6, states that books that represent individuals with intellectual or physical challenges deserve to be represented in literature in honest, positive ways to offer readers a better understanding of their lives. Inclusive books like The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia and others offer a window into the world of people with disabilities and their lives, thus allowing readers to see all people as valuable and equal.
This story touched my heart as I know and love several people with dyslexia, and they have become and still are amazing, smart and successful individuals. The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb makes Adam see that he is perfect just the way he is and allows him to succeed. From the eyes of my seven year old, she identified with Adam's trouble reading, and was overjoyed when he was happy again. "Because, reading is hard!", she said.
If Diane Burton Robb's The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia is a story that touched your heart like it did ours you may want to read My Name Is Brain Brian or Fish in a Tree. Enjoy!
March 1, 2010
The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia is appropriate for students in Kindergarten through third grade.
This book tells the story of Adam, who when he was little, loved to have his mother read to him. But as he gets older, he finds that reading on his own is a struggle. The p’s look like q’s and the b’s look like d’s. By the time he is in first grade, every day he goes to school is like a war against words. Each time his teacher or tutor tries to get him to make progress, he says, “I can’t do that.” Just when he thinks things couldn’t get worse, in second grade, they want him to spell too. He fails miserably. Instead of reading, by the end of second grade, he simply pretends. But, finally, in third grade Adam takes a test that identifies him as dyslexic and he gets a one-on-one aide to help him with reading, writing and spelling. He still struggles. Mrs. Wood reassures him he can read, “But it will take time.” In fourth grade Adam discovers that he is intelligent in other ways and this gives him the confidence boost he needs to be successful at reading. Instead of fixating on what he can’t do, he starts to focus on what he can. And he can read.
I thought this book portrayed dyslexia in a realistic manner. It did not skirt away from the issue at hand. It faced it head on and described dyslexia in child-friendly terms and from the perspective of a child. I think it would be beneficial to read this text in the primary grades because there is bound to be a reader in every class who struggles. Even if those struggling readers are not dyslexic, I think reading this text would help other students understand that just because someone struggles with reading does not mean they are unintelligent. I feel that this text teaches acceptance and understanding as well as what it means to be dyslexic. A quality piece of realistic fiction.
This book tells the story of Adam, who when he was little, loved to have his mother read to him. But as he gets older, he finds that reading on his own is a struggle. The p’s look like q’s and the b’s look like d’s. By the time he is in first grade, every day he goes to school is like a war against words. Each time his teacher or tutor tries to get him to make progress, he says, “I can’t do that.” Just when he thinks things couldn’t get worse, in second grade, they want him to spell too. He fails miserably. Instead of reading, by the end of second grade, he simply pretends. But, finally, in third grade Adam takes a test that identifies him as dyslexic and he gets a one-on-one aide to help him with reading, writing and spelling. He still struggles. Mrs. Wood reassures him he can read, “But it will take time.” In fourth grade Adam discovers that he is intelligent in other ways and this gives him the confidence boost he needs to be successful at reading. Instead of fixating on what he can’t do, he starts to focus on what he can. And he can read.
I thought this book portrayed dyslexia in a realistic manner. It did not skirt away from the issue at hand. It faced it head on and described dyslexia in child-friendly terms and from the perspective of a child. I think it would be beneficial to read this text in the primary grades because there is bound to be a reader in every class who struggles. Even if those struggling readers are not dyslexic, I think reading this text would help other students understand that just because someone struggles with reading does not mean they are unintelligent. I feel that this text teaches acceptance and understanding as well as what it means to be dyslexic. A quality piece of realistic fiction.
September 1, 2013
Overall, this was a very cute book. Kids will be able to learn about dyslexia and relate to it if they have it. My favorite part of the book was that every time the child said he couldnt do it there was always someone telling hime he could. By the end of the book he believed in himself and was able to read. Him and his classmates learned that not everone learns and sees things the same way. I liked this book but it was kind of slow.
May 10, 2016
This book is a great account of a child struggling with "the alphabet war" that accompanies dyslexia. I really appreciated the context, and how the author attempted to express what changed and became more difficult through the student's years in early elementary (PK-3). At the same time, it was a bit ambitious to account for each grade because they really only got about a page.
March 7, 2023
Adam is a little boy with dyslexia. He see his mother read effortlessly and magically and thinks "I can't do that." Although he tries had, in kindergarten he struggles to learn his letters. Too many look too similar and again he thinks it is something he cannot do. He learns enough to get by an is able to spell his own name, but his friend learns all the letters. In the next grade Adam feels even further behind as others learn to read. He stops trying and just puts his head down in class. In second grade Adam gets a summer tutor. He still mixes up his words and letters.
There are so many things Adam is great at but since he struggle with learning the letters and then with their sounds, there is no way he'll be able to read, write, and spell! He and one other kid go to a small group after class to see a reading helper and are teased because of this. As he moves along in grades he learns pretending and just getting by is not enough anymore. A plan is made to find out which way Adam will learn best. He is tested for dyslexia. He gets a special reading teacher He starts from the beginning and learns each letter sound and combination of sounds. Soon Adam can figure out words but he is still overwhelmed by long pages of words. It takes him longer than his friends to read, having to sound out each word. The story shows how smart Adam is with his successes in science. He learns not to be afraid to take risks and get things wrong. He learns what things he is good at and gains confidence. Although reading will always be harder for Adam, he learns that is is worth the hard work.
I enjoyed this story and see Adam gain confidence and not giving up on himself.
There are so many things Adam is great at but since he struggle with learning the letters and then with their sounds, there is no way he'll be able to read, write, and spell! He and one other kid go to a small group after class to see a reading helper and are teased because of this. As he moves along in grades he learns pretending and just getting by is not enough anymore. A plan is made to find out which way Adam will learn best. He is tested for dyslexia. He gets a special reading teacher He starts from the beginning and learns each letter sound and combination of sounds. Soon Adam can figure out words but he is still overwhelmed by long pages of words. It takes him longer than his friends to read, having to sound out each word. The story shows how smart Adam is with his successes in science. He learns not to be afraid to take risks and get things wrong. He learns what things he is good at and gains confidence. Although reading will always be harder for Adam, he learns that is is worth the hard work.
I enjoyed this story and see Adam gain confidence and not giving up on himself.
May 28, 2021
The daily struggle of words, Adam doubts his ability to read. He has given up trying, but with the support of the people who care, he is capable of overcoming his biggest obstacle.
This book is a wonderful story about one person's struggle with dyslexia and how he was able to overcome the daily battle of learning how to read. There are many people who learn differently, they need to know they are not alone. According to Children’s Literature Briefly, this book is a window book. A window book gives the reader the opportunity to look into someone else’s life. Reader see what Adam is going through grade by grade. The author gives vivid descriptions of what is going on in Adam's mind throughout the story. By taking time to see what other experiences are like, we are able to broaden our own horizon.
As with all the Children’s and Adolescent Literature I review, this comes with a Rockwell Rating from my child and young adolescent. The Rockwell Rating is 1-5 stars, 5 stars is the best.
Child Rockwell gives the book 3 stars “I liked the art style, but it had a lot of hard words for kids to read alone.”
Young Rockwell gives the book 2 ½ stars “It is really inspirational, but for a book about dyslexia there is a lot of big word.”
This book is a wonderful story about one person's struggle with dyslexia and how he was able to overcome the daily battle of learning how to read. There are many people who learn differently, they need to know they are not alone. According to Children’s Literature Briefly, this book is a window book. A window book gives the reader the opportunity to look into someone else’s life. Reader see what Adam is going through grade by grade. The author gives vivid descriptions of what is going on in Adam's mind throughout the story. By taking time to see what other experiences are like, we are able to broaden our own horizon.
As with all the Children’s and Adolescent Literature I review, this comes with a Rockwell Rating from my child and young adolescent. The Rockwell Rating is 1-5 stars, 5 stars is the best.
Child Rockwell gives the book 3 stars “I liked the art style, but it had a lot of hard words for kids to read alone.”
Young Rockwell gives the book 2 ½ stars “It is really inspirational, but for a book about dyslexia there is a lot of big word.”
March 3, 2019
The Alphabet war is about a little boy named Adam who has dyslexia. In the beginning of the book he doesn’t realize he has dyslexia, but instead just thinks he isn’t smart. As the book progresses, Adams parents reach out to professionals to try to get help. During this process he is diagnosed with dyslexia and given tips on how to handle it. As Adam has many people helping him and trying to teach him to read again, it all finally clicks. Adam finds books on topics he’s interested in and realizes that he can now read on his own.
The overall theme is learning disabilities and how to overcome them.
When I read this, I found myself feeling bad for Adam at first, because he did not know why he was not learning the same as the other kids in his class. As the story progresses it filled me with hope knowing how much support he had and how he ended up learning to read in the end.
I would defiantly recommend this book to anybody struggling with dyslexia. It shows how to help deal with it and overcome it. By reading this to a kid struggling with dyslexia it can fill them with hope and understanding. It can also be good for the parents in ways to help their child.
The overall theme is learning disabilities and how to overcome them.
When I read this, I found myself feeling bad for Adam at first, because he did not know why he was not learning the same as the other kids in his class. As the story progresses it filled me with hope knowing how much support he had and how he ended up learning to read in the end.
I would defiantly recommend this book to anybody struggling with dyslexia. It shows how to help deal with it and overcome it. By reading this to a kid struggling with dyslexia it can fill them with hope and understanding. It can also be good for the parents in ways to help their child.
August 14, 2021
Not cutesy or pedantic but instead thoughtful and empowering for young readers, this reveals the challenges of reading and learning with dyslexia. We watch the main character Adam grow from a young child who loves kindergarten but gradually grows frustrated in the first years of middle school. We see him in relationships with a good friend, a bully, various teachers, and his family. Throughout all of his experiences, he is intelligent and creative in numerous ways, just not with reading. It's important that we can see him in the sensitive, masterful pictures but also read his inner perspective; we're not coldly observing and evaluating this struggling reader (whether we are qualified or not). It's important that his perspective and insight are part of this truthful, realistic book. By the end of the book, Adam has learned confidence and a few approaches. It's not overly sentimental, and we can guess that he will continue with various challenges. Still, it's hopeful and sincere. Children (and we adults) who read can either relate because of similar struggles or learn to be more understanding of learners struggling with dyslexia.
April 20, 2024
This is the standard dyslexic picture book. A deficit-centered story depicting the stress and pain young dyslexic children go through.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Imagine a world with early literacy + universal preschool screening. Imagine a world where each major geographic region had a dyslexic magnet school. These would be places where children were among their peers, taught by capable and kind teachers. A place where dyslexic children could get support for their challenges (phonetic, semantic memorization, and procedural learning) along with cultivation of their innate dyslexic strengths (creativity, 3-d visual spatial, episodic memory, future prediction, etc). As many as 1 in 5 children are dyslexic. There are more than enough children to justify and populate such a school design. It’s cheeper and easier to provide dyslexic children with a loving and supportive school system than to help traumatized adults. Dyslexic children deserve better than the world depicted in this book. All children do.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Imagine a world with early literacy + universal preschool screening. Imagine a world where each major geographic region had a dyslexic magnet school. These would be places where children were among their peers, taught by capable and kind teachers. A place where dyslexic children could get support for their challenges (phonetic, semantic memorization, and procedural learning) along with cultivation of their innate dyslexic strengths (creativity, 3-d visual spatial, episodic memory, future prediction, etc). As many as 1 in 5 children are dyslexic. There are more than enough children to justify and populate such a school design. It’s cheeper and easier to provide dyslexic children with a loving and supportive school system than to help traumatized adults. Dyslexic children deserve better than the world depicted in this book. All children do.
February 18, 2020
This one is a good story for those whose kids might have it and some of the beginning steps on how to address the coming situations of tutors, special help, or diagnosing dyslexia. A way to help those kids not feel as worried about their abnormal situation. It is a book that is probably best read to the children. It's not the most fun or exciting read, but it's a good one for information.
I remember doing it. It's not easy. Adam, in the story, was able to be diagnosed and got tutors to help him out, which is the case for many people. Others, like myself, self-diagnosed themselves years later (for me it was at the end of my college career). Giving kids the tools they need early to help them is very important and so then they can use them as they get older too. So then we don't have to struggle on our own, feeling alone, and feeling stupid and dumb as we walk blindly on.
I remember doing it. It's not easy. Adam, in the story, was able to be diagnosed and got tutors to help him out, which is the case for many people. Others, like myself, self-diagnosed themselves years later (for me it was at the end of my college career). Giving kids the tools they need early to help them is very important and so then they can use them as they get older too. So then we don't have to struggle on our own, feeling alone, and feeling stupid and dumb as we walk blindly on.
August 26, 2018
This was a fun interesting book about a boy named Adam who has dyslexia. Adam is a kindergarten who struggles with reading. He constantly feels like he is being attacked by letters which cause him to get frustrated with himself. This book shows how a tutor can turn that frustration into being able to enjoy reading. The tutor helps Adam find ways to help him be a stronger reader. The illustrations pop out in so much detail and color. It gives you an understanding of how children with dyslexia feel in a classroom.
October 14, 2021
This book is a great book that describes the struggle of the alphabet war or dyslexia. I really liked that the author walks you through the years as the dyslexia becomes more of a problem each year. I really appreciate the illustrations throughout the book of how Adam (the character) was fighting against his struggles in his mind. I think that this is a great book to have in the classroom for kids with dyslexia to read and connect with. It is also a good book to help other kids understand that when a child can't do something that other children can do, it doesn't mean that they're dumb.
August 29, 2018
I found this book very engaging and think it will serve as a great encouragment for children who have dyslexia. I liked the way author has shown how the boy finds that he has strengths in many areas and his worth is not based on his reading difficulty. Reading this story will help children build positive attitude towards their reading difficulties as it shows how the character's struggle eases with time.
October 20, 2021
This book was so tender. I myself have dyslexia, so this book was so interesting. It talks about a little boy who has dyslexia who faces "evil letters". They were evil because he couldn't read or write them. He gets a tutor to finally relearn and understand. This makes his relationship with words healthier. I think this is a great book to have in the classroom because it might encourage kids to speak out if they have trouble reading.
March 5, 2022
I liked this but I also had mixed feelings. Like, this was wordy. It made me feel like this was a book about a dyslexic kid for a not dyslexic kid. I saw that in the front matter they used a font that felt easier to read but then the actual text of the book wasnt in that font. I'm personally not dyslexic so it's probably not my place to complain. In any case I liked the story and the illustrations.
February 5, 2019
A book unlike any other that I have read. It tells a sympathetic story about a child who has severe difficulty learning to read because of dyslexia. It may be encouraging to such a student, to parents, and even to teachers in moments of great doubt. There is no fairy tale ending, but it is encouraging just the same.
May 29, 2019
Very similar to Thank You, Mr. Falker, but with a male protagonist and less focus on the specific teacher who helped the student.
November 18, 2022
This book was not a favorite for me, however, I think it does a good job of talking about Dyslexia. This story didn't have much of a resolution and the length of the book made it a bit hard for me to remain engaged.
May 2, 2019
This book is another story about dyslexia and a boy who is falling behind in the classroom. The main character Tom figures this out. Tom and his teacher try to find a way to overcome this battle.
May 24, 2019
This book talks about what teachers see everyday in their classrooms. This disorder is very common among school children and many of the children finds a way to work around their disorder with the help of their teachers, and loved ones.
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March 20, 2021A picture book that gives an accurate representation of dyslexia and the challenges that a child with dyslexia may face.
July 27, 2022
Very well written. Relatable for students with dyslexia, especially those who are frustrated, particularly those in grades 2-5. Good read aloud for parents or teachers of kids with dyslexia.
childrens
May 21, 2024Long and detailed walk through dislexia. And once again, the protagonist is the best at other things. At the end he can read and is smiling. Albert Whitman & Company
July 13, 2024
A great story for children with dyslexia to under they are not alone and there are people who understand and can help.
November 5, 2025
Very good story about dyslexia.
February 17, 2020
I liked the book and used it in a review and annotated bibliography for those who specialize in helping struggling readers. It takes longer for Adam to be successful, but he finally realizes that he is smart and though it catches him unaware, he reaches success as a reader.
March 23, 2016
An inclusive book with a focus on dyslexia. Within this emotional filled book it follows two boys called Walter and Adam who loved his mother reading to him. But as he gets older and independent he found reading difficult creating a war with words. Highlighting common dyslexia traits the p’s looks like q’s and the b’s look like d’s, not relating the words he saw on the page. School life was difficult for Adam as it is for many children with dyslexia or undiagnosed. Throughout the book Adam continues to explain, “I can’t do that” as he faces spellings. Through the book Adam continuously compares himself to Walter who seemed to be progressing well through school managing to read large books by the end of year two. Adam begins to pretend that he can read during year two until year 3 Adam took a test. The test then identified he has dyslexia and then got one-to-one support throughout his lessons, helping with reading, writing and spelling. The teacher supports Adam by constant reassurance that he will be able to read but it will take time. In year four Adam’s confidence grow and he realizes that he is intelligent in many other ways this helps progress his reading ability. Adam began to change a negative situation to a positive by focusing on what he can do.
This book really does look at the point of view of a child with dyslexia. Focusing on personal issues prior to being diagnosed, the process of being diagnosed and then life with a statement. It would be a great book to read with all children as a group for them to build on empathy skills. Also good to read with a specific child who may have traits of dyslexia, going through the process of dyslexia or needs to build knowledge surround this additional need. This book uses language that is child friendly and can be accessed by all children. If no child within the class has dyslexia I think it is still a good book to read to all children as it would help other students understand that just because someone finds reading difficult does not mean they are not intelligent. The strong message within this book surrounds acceptance and understanding, reminding children to not judge a book by its cover as you do not know the struggles some people face. This book would be good to read to any age child as the messages within are relevant.
This book really does look at the point of view of a child with dyslexia. Focusing on personal issues prior to being diagnosed, the process of being diagnosed and then life with a statement. It would be a great book to read with all children as a group for them to build on empathy skills. Also good to read with a specific child who may have traits of dyslexia, going through the process of dyslexia or needs to build knowledge surround this additional need. This book uses language that is child friendly and can be accessed by all children. If no child within the class has dyslexia I think it is still a good book to read to all children as it would help other students understand that just because someone finds reading difficult does not mean they are not intelligent. The strong message within this book surrounds acceptance and understanding, reminding children to not judge a book by its cover as you do not know the struggles some people face. This book would be good to read to any age child as the messages within are relevant.
November 9, 2015
This book takes you on a journey filled with emotion.It is the story of a young boy who finds it incredibly difficult to relate to the words that he sees on a page. The story compares the development of two boys - Adam and Walter, who started 'kindergarten' at the same age. Adam found it very difficult to see letters the way everybody else could see them. He would let his imagination take over instead and think of better things. Walter on the other hand seemed to be progressing well.However,this was only the beginning of the 'Alphabet War' for Adam. The teacher tried to help him as best they could, but Adam found it very difficult to pay attention.''The letters fluttered in his head like moths trapped in a jar''.
It seems that Adam doesn't feel like anyone understands exactly how hard he finds reading, writing and spelling. Adam was getting extra support but he still felt helpless. It didn't help that he was comparing himself to Walter, who could read a two-hundred chapter book by the end of second grade.After taking a test, it was clear that Adam was very smart, ''but the part of his brain that should help figure out letters and sounds and turn them into words just wasn't working''. Adam didn't understand how he was smart if he couldn't read, write or spell like his peers. One day Adam realised how smart he was when the teacher gave the class a test on magnets. Adam was able to demonstrate how to position the wires. From then on, Adam took more chances in class and cared less about whether or not he was right or wrong.
This book is beautifully written. There are excellent descriptions used to convey how Adam felt when he saw words on a page. I think that this story effectively describes how a learning difficulty (in this case Dyslexia), can really affect someone in a negative way. It begins to take over their thoughts and interfere with their abilities. This book would be a very good read for anyone who finds reading, writing or spelling difficult, especially children. It portrays a very important message, which can be openly discussed by a teacher/parent with a child who has Dyslexia. It is suitable for KS1 and KS2.
It seems that Adam doesn't feel like anyone understands exactly how hard he finds reading, writing and spelling. Adam was getting extra support but he still felt helpless. It didn't help that he was comparing himself to Walter, who could read a two-hundred chapter book by the end of second grade.After taking a test, it was clear that Adam was very smart, ''but the part of his brain that should help figure out letters and sounds and turn them into words just wasn't working''. Adam didn't understand how he was smart if he couldn't read, write or spell like his peers. One day Adam realised how smart he was when the teacher gave the class a test on magnets. Adam was able to demonstrate how to position the wires. From then on, Adam took more chances in class and cared less about whether or not he was right or wrong.
This book is beautifully written. There are excellent descriptions used to convey how Adam felt when he saw words on a page. I think that this story effectively describes how a learning difficulty (in this case Dyslexia), can really affect someone in a negative way. It begins to take over their thoughts and interfere with their abilities. This book would be a very good read for anyone who finds reading, writing or spelling difficult, especially children. It portrays a very important message, which can be openly discussed by a teacher/parent with a child who has Dyslexia. It is suitable for KS1 and KS2.
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