Dyslexia is My Superpower

by Margaret Rooke

In more than 100 interviews, children and young adults reveal their personal tips and tactics for honing the creative benefits of dyslexia, enabling them to thrive in school and beyond. Strategies include ways to develop confidence and self-belief. The contributors have outlined specific approaches they feel have helped them, and others that haven't. The book contains stunning illustrations by 8-18 year olds with dyslexia.


The first-hand accounts are inspiring in the way they normalise dyslexia and reveal the many success stories. There is an additional section for professionals who work in education or special learning environments, with advice given by school students themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2017

Reviews

[iain meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impressed.
Interviews with children who have dyslexia. Enormously insightful. Every school teacher should read this. Parents and siblings of dyslexics could read this. My eyes wider open...... дислексия
or is that
дкцлицсиа?



A pity I didn't find this about 20 years ago....better late than never. :)

[Lizzie Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because my youngest daughter recently got diagnosed with dyslexia, and it was definitely eye opening. This is a collection of real life accounts from kids with dyslexia covering many aspects of this learning difficulty. I finished this book feeling way more empathy and with some practical ideas on how to support. I’m keen to pick out certain passages to share with my daughter. Very quick read, but I would suggest this is one to dip in and out of rather than sit and read in one sitting as I did. I got to a point of not truely taking in the stories by the end but kept on going when maybe I should have dipped back in at a later date. Saying this, the book is now full of page markers to go back to.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an empowering book!

[Christine Turner]

School Library Journal recommends this book gfor grades 7 and up.

Based on over 100 in-depth interviews with school children and young adults living with dyslexia, this collection depicts the significance of confidence and self-esteem in propelling children with dyslexia to achieve personal success and live better lives. Personal strategies are offered for children alongside a guide for educational professionals.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Rooke’s Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time) is a compilation of over 100 interviews with children ranging in age from 8-18 from all over the globe who have been diagnosed with dyslexia. The author compiles a list at the end of the book that summarizes the advice that these students offer to adults who are trying to understand and help them. The book also includes some of the children's incredible artwork to explain their feelings about dyslexia.

Hearing from children rather than reading clinical descriptions of dyslexia gave me more empathy for what their inner lives at school are like. I read every single account and took notes to share with my tutoring students, kids who often struggle with learning issues, academic anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and difficulty focusing.

Although each child was unique, there were some common themes throughout: an official diagnosis of dyslexia was mostly a relief rather than a negative label because they were finally given the understanding and accommodations they needed, most were surprised to discover that at least one of their parents was dyslexic and suffered in school because of being labeled lazy, having pets or being around animals was therapeutic, parents' advocacy for them was essential in getting appropriate accommodations, and day-dreaming was a common way of coping with what felt like the relentless, fast-paced flow of information in the classroom.

Some of their superpowers: empathy for others, use of maps and pictures to solve problems, gift for connecting with animals, and amazing art, building, and visualization skills. Some of their career aspirations: Computer scientist, sound engineer, entrepreneur, gemologist, musician, actor, artist,
3-D designer, teacher, carpenter, marine biologist, paleontologist, public speaker, veterinarian, lawyer, dancer, architect, and animator.

I recommend this book for parents, teachers, tutors, politicians, and especially for kids who might feel alone in struggling with learning issues. (NetGalley provided an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I work in a high school and recently I have seen an influx of students who are dyslexic or who have dyslexic tendencies. As a teaching assistant I am meant to be able to help these students with their struggles but it has always been baffling to me to understand the struggle because reading and writing came so naturally to me. I’ve read up on dyslexia and spoke to some experts but I have found both experiences very cold and clinical.

What is brilliant about Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time) is that Margaret Rooke has gone straight to the children and young adults who are in need. She lets them explain how their brain works and how they can be helped. We see how they feel singled out at times or how too much help can lead to other distressing issues.

Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time) is truly a warm book with lots of character. It has changed my approach with the students that I work with and it has given me a fresh insight into such a complex subject. I highly recommend this book to all educators and parents of dyslexics.

Dyslexia is My Superpower (Most of the Time) by Margaret Rooke is available now.

For more information regarding Margaret Rooke (@MargsRooke) please visit her Twitter page.

For more information regarding Jessica Kingsley Publishers (@JKPautism) please visit www.jkp.com.

[Joanna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all those dyslexics out there, who are struggling with confidence and self-esteem, this book is here to help you remember that you are perfect as you are and you can achieve whatever you want in life. As a fellow dyslexic myself I certainly identify with the struggles that dyslexia can bring, and like many of the people in this book, I know how incredible I am because of it.
This book is filled with 100 touching stories of dyslexic young people. For those of you who are not dyslexic and read this book, welcome to our world. For those of you who are dyslexic, I’m sure it will resonate with you in multiple ways.
‘Dyslexia Is My Superpower’ by Margaret Rooke is a must-read book for everyone, all ages and professions. I must say that it left me emotional and inspired.

[Sam Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. Good for both those with dyslexia and those working with or teaching those with it.
My only criticism is that maybe 100 letters was a bit long and I would have liked a a larger highlights section at the back - but, maybe that’s the dyslexic in me 🙂🙃🤷🏼‍♀️
Hopefully enough people will read this book to be the change needed in the world (especially education and government ) that is needed.

[Susan Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the title of the book about Dyslexia being a superpower “most of the time” - sharing with children, families and educators that along with the positives, there are difficult challenges that are faced. However, with the correct support children are able to flourish and the main thing I took from this book, while reading all the different stories from children, was how much the creativity stood out. One particular child works with gemstones, and this is just what this book is - a little gem!

An insightful read and with honest accounts from children and older teenagers which will benefit those younger, giving lots of strategies that may also work for others.

The end has a range of tips to help adults and those that work with dyslexic students; giving a greater understanding of what extra support they can do to make life a little easier – small changes make big differences and who better to teach than the children who are experiencing these challenges?

[Kate Keaveny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book uses the voice of children who share their experiences. There are similarities and differences between each child's story which helps the reader to recognise that each individual has differing experiences and support needs. The children are able to share advice they have been given and the ways in which they support themselves. It is great that both positives and negatives in regard to teachers is shared as hopefully when a teacher reads this the experience for dyslexics in school will improve.

[Sean Flatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this inspirational dyslexic book

Reading this book really moved me as I struggled with dyslexic in the 1980's where it was not spoken about nor deal with.
It was pushed away under the counter. But reading this book brought back some memories and with today's technology I can see that the new generation of youngsters have the advantage with thier needs to make them more efficient than before.
Overall a great inspirational read of a book.
Best wishes Sean a dyslexic or dyslexia man

[Valerie Burke-ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to work with adults with dyslexia. They usually found out they were dyslexic when a grandchild got a diagnosis and they realised that they were the same. This is a really good book to help people understand what dyslexia is.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories from the kids are great and inspiring but a little repetitive. It definitely helps you understand what it feels like to be dyslexic and to be aware of how it will manifest in areas other than reading. It isn’t a manual on how to teach to dyslexic kids better.

[Evelyn Erb Bognar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all teachers. The essays written by the students with dyslexia were inspiring. The art work included with the essays was amazing! I really enjoyed this book.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"For everything made more difficult for you to do there will be something that you find easier than everyone else." I think every teacher should be required to read this book.

[Tabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that this book interviewed a variety of ages and experiences from around the world - a great real-life look at the experiences and challenges and highlights of living with dyslexia.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me feel good about myself, but just quite a long one to read