How Many Days Until Tomorrow

by Caroline Janover

2001 Parents' Choice Award

Josh is a twelve-year-old with dyslexia who spends the summer on a remote island in Maine with his teasing older brother Simon and grandparents he hardly knows. His "bug-eyed" grandfather (alias Grumps) rarely says a kind word. Living on Seal Island is torture until Josh realizes his own ingenuity. He captures a pet mouse, learns about seals and whales and meets a cute girl. In a dramatic, life-threatening emergency, Josh learns he is just as smart as his "gifted" older brother. He spends "the worst and the best" summer of his life on Seal Island, far out to sea off the coast of Maine.

"I loved HOW MANY DAYS UNTIL TOMORROW?, but as a true test I had it reviewed by an expert, my 11-year-old daughter, Lucy. She wolfed it down like a delicious meal, and when she was done she pronounced it excellent. 'It's a super book, Dad. I hope lots of people read it.' I couldn't agree with Lucy more."
--Edward M. Hallowell, M.D.
author of Driven to Distraction

"Josh is the kind of boy I wish every kid could meet...hard-working, sensitive, adventuresome, intelligent, and yes...dyslexic! Thanks to Caroline Janover for giving young people a great story and an even greater understanding of what it means to be dyslexic."

--J. Thomas Viall, Former Executive Director, International Dyslexia Association

"Janover has created a real flesh-and-blood protagonist. ...A fine novel that happens to have a dyslexic hero."
--School Library Journal

Genres: Young Adult

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2000

Reviews

[Russ Stangl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh a 12-year-old with dyslexia is the main character. His parents go to Europe for the summer,and he and his gifted brother stay with their grandparents on an island in Maine. There, Josh struggles not only with his own learning disability but also with trying to enjoy a summer away from his home and friends. Older brother Simon is forever giving him a hard time and his emotionally distant grandfather never seems to approve of anything Josh does. His grandmother is loving and supportive but can do little to help him. Throughout the summer, Josh's adventures on the island teach him skills that he doesn't realize he has learned until a critical emergency happens to his grandfather. Josh's life is not easy but his complaints and defeats never come across as pathetic. He shows heroism every day as he struggles with his disability, so it is only his grandfather who is surprised when Josh acts to save him.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really thought it was a good book to show how children with dyslexia have talents. I really liked how the author included another dyslexia character in the story to show how two people can have an understanding. I would recommend reading this book aloud especially if a dyslexic child is in the classroom.

[Shan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story really moved along! Great read for children with learning disabilities. Ending was a little contrived and predictable but I had a hard time putting this book down :)