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Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid
Shenanigans, struggles, strengths, and special friends! Revealing the heart of an upbeat, boisterous fifth grader working hard to hack the reading code. Hacking the Code is a fun, friendship-centered story that shows how every brain works differently, and how we all have different strengths. Kees is good at many things such as science, fixing things, making friends, and pulling pranks. However, because of his dyslexia, he is not so good at spelling and writing! After playing another sly prank on the teachers he ends up having to write an essay about the hardest thing he’s ever done. His friend writes it in no time, but Kees can't get anything on paper. His secret friends group is determined to help him but in the end, it is his grandpa with all his wisdom that helps Kees on its way. Will he be able to pull it off? And how on earth did he, a dyslexic kid, end up winning the highest honor at school? This relatable, illustrated chapter book, brings to life the journey of a dyslexic kid in a story that highlights perseverance, creativity and, the power of true friendship. Hacking the Code is available as an audiobook to make it accessible to all types of learners. Targeted for children ages 6 - 12, adults also cherish the book and everyone learns from the empowering fun-to-read story. Kids ages: 6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12
A free Lesson Plan & Activity Guide is downloadable on the iCarepress website.
A free Lesson Plan & Activity Guide is downloadable on the iCarepress website.
178 pages, Hardcover
Published July 9, 2021
57 people are currently reading
2048 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 6, 2023
Hacking the Code is about a 5th grade student, Kees, who really struggles with writing and reading. If your child has ever struggled and has been told to "try harder" then you will love this book and the way Kees ends up embracing his dyslexia and changing things at his school. A must read for upper elementary or middle grade kids to understand their classmates and themselves.
Kids will relate to the main character and his friends immediately with their fun and games and lots of pranks. So many pranks, that one lands them in trouble with the principal where the fated essay assignment starts the epic journey to understanding his brain. Parents will also love this book to better understand how their child may be struggling. You see, as we're reading we are privy to all of Kees' thoughts and feelings about his struggle, but on the outside he does not show his teachers or principal what's really going on.
I loved how the main character described his brain as an Apple brain vs an Android brain. I loved this distinction between a dyslexic or neurodivergent brain to a neurotypical brain. Each type of brain, and device, is a completely different operating system with a very different way to function. Kees describes himself as an Apple brain because he is better at decoding pictures and designs vs the Android brain that he attributes to text and instructions.
Kees is great at creating stories and things, while his best friend Pete is good at writing things up. I also loved the friendships and the special secret friends group they created, forming a tight circle of supportive friends.
I first listened to the audiobook that I received from the author through Author's Direct. I enjoyed the listen, it was quick but powerful. The narrator did a great job sounding like a kid but also made great voices for every character. I also received an eArc from the author and was able to scan through to enjoy the amazing illustrations, which help give more meaning and understanding to the book. That's one downside from my favorite way of reading (audio). The illustrations help us visually experience what Kees experiences with his dyslexia. The illustrations from his evaluation and the essay to the principal were especially interesting. I'm also a very visual learner so quickly seeing a snapshot of what he feels in his brain is helpful.
Kids will relate to the main character and his friends immediately with their fun and games and lots of pranks. So many pranks, that one lands them in trouble with the principal where the fated essay assignment starts the epic journey to understanding his brain. Parents will also love this book to better understand how their child may be struggling. You see, as we're reading we are privy to all of Kees' thoughts and feelings about his struggle, but on the outside he does not show his teachers or principal what's really going on.
I loved how the main character described his brain as an Apple brain vs an Android brain. I loved this distinction between a dyslexic or neurodivergent brain to a neurotypical brain. Each type of brain, and device, is a completely different operating system with a very different way to function. Kees describes himself as an Apple brain because he is better at decoding pictures and designs vs the Android brain that he attributes to text and instructions.
Kees is great at creating stories and things, while his best friend Pete is good at writing things up. I also loved the friendships and the special secret friends group they created, forming a tight circle of supportive friends.
I first listened to the audiobook that I received from the author through Author's Direct. I enjoyed the listen, it was quick but powerful. The narrator did a great job sounding like a kid but also made great voices for every character. I also received an eArc from the author and was able to scan through to enjoy the amazing illustrations, which help give more meaning and understanding to the book. That's one downside from my favorite way of reading (audio). The illustrations help us visually experience what Kees experiences with his dyslexia. The illustrations from his evaluation and the essay to the principal were especially interesting. I'm also a very visual learner so quickly seeing a snapshot of what he feels in his brain is helpful.
April 1, 2022
TITLE: HACKING THE CODE
AUTHOR: Gea Meijering
ILLUSTRATIONS: Mads Johan Øgaard
PUB DATE: 04.11.2021 Now Available
Hacking the Code is filled with funny school humor of a 5th grade dyslexic boy whose trouble making antics make this a real page turner for even the most reluctant reader.
REVIEW: I love reading books that feature neurodiverse protagonists in stories just like this where the stories highlight the incredible talents and strengths dyslexic kids may go through - in a non-clinical way, joyful stories are presented that kids from 3rd through 6th grade will enjoy reading. The illustrations are incredibly enjoyable and really tells the story in a very engaging way. HACKING THE CODE sends a message that everyone learns in different ways, and figuring out the best for you means you have Hacked the Code!
AUTHOR: Gea Meijering is from the Netherlands and now lives in SoCal. She is an author that champions dyslexia awareness in the community, a dynamic dyslexia advocate, and makes visible the learning struggles children and families go through by writing books that normalize dyslexia.
AUTHOR: Gea Meijering
ILLUSTRATIONS: Mads Johan Øgaard
PUB DATE: 04.11.2021 Now Available
Hacking the Code is filled with funny school humor of a 5th grade dyslexic boy whose trouble making antics make this a real page turner for even the most reluctant reader.
REVIEW: I love reading books that feature neurodiverse protagonists in stories just like this where the stories highlight the incredible talents and strengths dyslexic kids may go through - in a non-clinical way, joyful stories are presented that kids from 3rd through 6th grade will enjoy reading. The illustrations are incredibly enjoyable and really tells the story in a very engaging way. HACKING THE CODE sends a message that everyone learns in different ways, and figuring out the best for you means you have Hacked the Code!
AUTHOR: Gea Meijering is from the Netherlands and now lives in SoCal. She is an author that champions dyslexia awareness in the community, a dynamic dyslexia advocate, and makes visible the learning struggles children and families go through by writing books that normalize dyslexia.
January 31, 2023
Thank you Gea and the Multicultural Children’s Book group for sharing a copy of Hacking the Code with me. This is a fun book for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid! I enjoyed the messages about everyone having different “brains” and how we need to accommodate for others’ needs. A great message and cute friendships.
November 1, 2022
This was absolutely adorable!! I loved that it really highlighted what Kees was good at, not just what he struggled with. The “apple vs Android” analogy was amazing and I loved his pranks. This is definitely one I’ll be saving for my kids when they’re old enough!
January 10, 2023
I received a copy of Gea Meijering's "Hacking the Code" illustrated by Mads Johan Øgaard for Multicultural Children's Book Day to help promote diversity in children's books. This book in particular features a dyslexic main character - Kees. Kees is a 5th grader at Ladville Elementary. Kees, pronounced "Case," is pretty hyperactive and has an "Apple" (iOS) brain as opposed to a "Android" brain that everyone else has. This sets him apart, and he finds himself in trouble with his teachers more than not. This reads like higher level elementary (4th-5th) versus middle school (6th-8th). It would be best for kids who are struggling to read or are a reluctant reader. It does try to bridge the gap that many dyslexic students struggle with. I did get some flashbacks of "My Life As A Book" by J. Tashjian. I did like how at the end they had the different types of cognitive tests that a student who is being tested for learning disabilities may see.
It is hard to see some points of view, especially when you don't struggle with whatever the main character has an obstacle. Kees also highlights a bit that our American system can miss things. It is important that we have people advocating for us in and out of school. The principal's award in the end does reveal some outlandish ideals that wouldn't happen in a regular school, and only serves to highlight how "different" Kees is compared to the rest of his peers. (A huge negative in my book, since Kees was trying to be himself but not always be the target of negative attention.) In the library world, when we talk about books being "windows and mirrors", it's good to see that this is a window into someone else's world. Øgaard's illustrations are a bit childish, but it lends to the story itself as Kees is pretty fast paced with his friends in the NADMIL, his secret group. Kees' language sometimes doesn't feel like a 5th grader, but could be explained by his Oma and Opa being very heavily featured in his life and he's using their language to describe his world.
This book is a solid 4/5 stars, as it's for reluctant readers and for kids who are struggling with their own disabilities and want to seen as "normal."
#ReadYourWorld
It is hard to see some points of view, especially when you don't struggle with whatever the main character has an obstacle. Kees also highlights a bit that our American system can miss things. It is important that we have people advocating for us in and out of school. The principal's award in the end does reveal some outlandish ideals that wouldn't happen in a regular school, and only serves to highlight how "different" Kees is compared to the rest of his peers. (A huge negative in my book, since Kees was trying to be himself but not always be the target of negative attention.) In the library world, when we talk about books being "windows and mirrors", it's good to see that this is a window into someone else's world. Øgaard's illustrations are a bit childish, but it lends to the story itself as Kees is pretty fast paced with his friends in the NADMIL, his secret group. Kees' language sometimes doesn't feel like a 5th grader, but could be explained by his Oma and Opa being very heavily featured in his life and he's using their language to describe his world.
This book is a solid 4/5 stars, as it's for reluctant readers and for kids who are struggling with their own disabilities and want to seen as "normal."
#ReadYourWorld
August 3, 2024
Loved the “Android or Apple brain” test at the end of the book!
January 7, 2023
Good story of a kid with dyslexia who finally figures out that his brain works different from others. Library book challenge. Read a book with a neurodiverse character.
December 22, 2022
I received a copy of Gea Meijering and Mads Johan Øgaard's "Hacking the Code" for Multicultural Children's Book Day to help promote diversity in children's books. This story does a beautiful job of explaining dyslexia for both children and adults and is a fun read on top of its educational value. We see the way Kees's dyslexia gives him difficulty in school, but we also see all of the things he excels at, like science and art, which shows any child who has difficulty in school that grades are far from the only important thing in life and that they're also far from being a measure of their intelligence; Kees is a clever, highly intelligent boy regardless of his struggles with reading and writing and this book makes that clear.
The antics of Kees and his group of friends throughout the book keep things amusing and entertaining, making this a great book for reluctant readers. Pranks, consequences, friendships, and the question of whether or not Kees will be able to complete his writing assignment will keep a reader laughing and invested through to the end. And I'd be remiss not to mention Øgaard's illustrations! His style is charming and his illustrations are just as fun as the words they accompany.
The antics of Kees and his group of friends throughout the book keep things amusing and entertaining, making this a great book for reluctant readers. Pranks, consequences, friendships, and the question of whether or not Kees will be able to complete his writing assignment will keep a reader laughing and invested through to the end. And I'd be remiss not to mention Øgaard's illustrations! His style is charming and his illustrations are just as fun as the words they accompany.
December 23, 2022
Hacking the Code
By Gea Meijering
Illustrated by Mads Johan Øgaard
Practical jokes can be fun, but sometimes they cause trouble. When caught doing a joke on the principal, Kees is assigned the worst task of all. This boy has a familiar problem. Sometimes he feels different, especially when it comes to reading and writing. Friends and family help him remember all the great things he can do and his teacher helps him complete the assignment in an unusual but helpful way. Anyone with a learning disability will recognize Kees’ struggle and applaud his success.
The comical illustrations accentuate the ups and downs of trying to succeed in a school situation. Large lettering and increased line spaces make this an easy read for all. Suggestions for teaching are available online and finding out about learning styles is included at the end of the book.
By Gea Meijering
Illustrated by Mads Johan Øgaard
Practical jokes can be fun, but sometimes they cause trouble. When caught doing a joke on the principal, Kees is assigned the worst task of all. This boy has a familiar problem. Sometimes he feels different, especially when it comes to reading and writing. Friends and family help him remember all the great things he can do and his teacher helps him complete the assignment in an unusual but helpful way. Anyone with a learning disability will recognize Kees’ struggle and applaud his success.
The comical illustrations accentuate the ups and downs of trying to succeed in a school situation. Large lettering and increased line spaces make this an easy read for all. Suggestions for teaching are available online and finding out about learning styles is included at the end of the book.
December 27, 2022
Great family read
It was really nice to read about another little kid going through the same struggles as my son and seeing the positives of dyslexia. We've been trying to build up our son but its been hard for him seeing his younger sister and class mates start to surpass his current reading/writing/spelling abilities. It was a fun read for our 6 & 8 year old
It was really nice to read about another little kid going through the same struggles as my son and seeing the positives of dyslexia. We've been trying to build up our son but its been hard for him seeing his younger sister and class mates start to surpass his current reading/writing/spelling abilities. It was a fun read for our 6 & 8 year old
April 29, 2023
I so enjoyed Hacking the Code. It’s the adventures of friendship and learning that we all have different talents/strengths. While Pete, Meghan and Bobby are strong readers, Kees has a photographic memory and has a brain that sees patterns, art, and science projects, like making the volcano. But, when it comes to spelling, reading, and writing, Kees’ apple brain needs support. With support from Pete, his teacher, Mrs. Donow and a special project from the principal, Mr. Lamares. Kees thinks outside of the box and gets to a lot of deep thinking. I’m not going to give spoilers. I enjoyed the illustrations and Hacking the Code is well written. I highly recommend this book for students, teachers, and parents. It is very inspiring.
January 30, 2025
Big thanks to #ReadYourWorld for gifting me this book to review!
I appreciated how Hacking the Code highlights the way different brains work, and I loved the ending—watching the protagonist advocate for himself to the principal was a great message about self-advocacy.
That said, I wasn’t a fan of how much pranking was treated as the go-to response when school didn’t work for the characters. The boys shrug off consequences, which made it feel like their struggles were played for laughs rather than leading to growth.
The premise was fun, and the book does a great job of making dyslexia relatable. I just wish it leaned more into problem-solving instead of idealizing poor behavior. Still, it’s a great conversation starter about learning differences and resilience.
#ReadYourWorld #GiftedBook #MulticulturalChildrensBookDay
I appreciated how Hacking the Code highlights the way different brains work, and I loved the ending—watching the protagonist advocate for himself to the principal was a great message about self-advocacy.
That said, I wasn’t a fan of how much pranking was treated as the go-to response when school didn’t work for the characters. The boys shrug off consequences, which made it feel like their struggles were played for laughs rather than leading to growth.
The premise was fun, and the book does a great job of making dyslexia relatable. I just wish it leaned more into problem-solving instead of idealizing poor behavior. Still, it’s a great conversation starter about learning differences and resilience.
#ReadYourWorld #GiftedBook #MulticulturalChildrensBookDay
January 24, 2023
Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid by Gea Meijering and illustrated by Mads Johan Ogaard
Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid by Gea Meijering and illustrated by Mads Johan Ogaard (iCare Press) is a fun middle grade novel that highlights the adventures of lovable Kees and his best friend as they navigate school, friendships, and the ups and downs of life as fifth graders. The author, Gea Meijering, is a writer, mother of a dyslexic son, and special education advocate. Mads Johan Ogaard is an illustrator, animator and special education teacher.
Meijering’s prose is fresh and it sparkles, and Ogaard’s illustrations add much to this spirited book. The creators bring the reader into Kees’ world and help all readers connect to this story. Additionally, Hacking the Code provides test questions at the end that readers can do, and there is a free lesson plan and activity guide available at www.icarepress.com.
Most importantly, young readers will understand what it is like to be dyslexic, as well enjoy Kees’ journey to finding himself as he struggles with reading and writing. Children with learning differences will discover that they can see themselves in Kees, as he learns and grows in self-acceptance. This is a must read that speaks to all with learning differences, and it will also be treasured by parents, teachers, and caregivers as well…a wonderful addition to any library collection, home or school.
Disclaimer: This book was #gifted to review for MCBD. Thank you to MCBD’s medallion and author sponsors. #ReadYourWorld
Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid by Gea Meijering and illustrated by Mads Johan Ogaard (iCare Press) is a fun middle grade novel that highlights the adventures of lovable Kees and his best friend as they navigate school, friendships, and the ups and downs of life as fifth graders. The author, Gea Meijering, is a writer, mother of a dyslexic son, and special education advocate. Mads Johan Ogaard is an illustrator, animator and special education teacher.
Meijering’s prose is fresh and it sparkles, and Ogaard’s illustrations add much to this spirited book. The creators bring the reader into Kees’ world and help all readers connect to this story. Additionally, Hacking the Code provides test questions at the end that readers can do, and there is a free lesson plan and activity guide available at www.icarepress.com.
Most importantly, young readers will understand what it is like to be dyslexic, as well enjoy Kees’ journey to finding himself as he struggles with reading and writing. Children with learning differences will discover that they can see themselves in Kees, as he learns and grows in self-acceptance. This is a must read that speaks to all with learning differences, and it will also be treasured by parents, teachers, and caregivers as well…a wonderful addition to any library collection, home or school.
Disclaimer: This book was #gifted to review for MCBD. Thank you to MCBD’s medallion and author sponsors. #ReadYourWorld
November 2, 2022
Hacking the code is a book that should be in every classroom and library. It was the best I've read to spread awareness about dyslexia so far. It teaches us in a clever way how it works and the hacks kids have to deal with it. I love that Kees uses different socks to always know right from left. This book is about a serious matter but filled with humor. I wanted to be part of NADMIL club too.
The story is quite fun and the characters are always in trouble with their pranks but they value friendship above all.
The pranks start the main conflict. Because they get caught, they must write a two-page long essay entitled: "The hardest thing I ever did." Kees struggles because his brain is different and it's hard for him to write. He tries to find the answer and ends up finding out more about himself.
Reading his essay brought tears to my eyes (remembering my experience in childhood, wished I had these books before) for this book is everything a child who struggles with dyslexia wants to hear to feel reassured. It's cleverly written and has a lot of information. (Also extra tests at the end of the book).
The book's font is quite large and it has a lot of illustrations to facilitate reading. Congratulations on such a great project.
Quote:
"Come on, Kess, (...)You have to try harder. (...) I SO don't like it when she says that. It's the biggest let-down of all when she says to try harder. Every time I write I AM doing my best."
The story is quite fun and the characters are always in trouble with their pranks but they value friendship above all.
The pranks start the main conflict. Because they get caught, they must write a two-page long essay entitled: "The hardest thing I ever did." Kees struggles because his brain is different and it's hard for him to write. He tries to find the answer and ends up finding out more about himself.
Reading his essay brought tears to my eyes (remembering my experience in childhood, wished I had these books before) for this book is everything a child who struggles with dyslexia wants to hear to feel reassured. It's cleverly written and has a lot of information. (Also extra tests at the end of the book).
The book's font is quite large and it has a lot of illustrations to facilitate reading. Congratulations on such a great project.
Quote:
"Come on, Kess, (...)You have to try harder. (...) I SO don't like it when she says that. It's the biggest let-down of all when she says to try harder. Every time I write I AM doing my best."
January 25, 2023
Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid is the story about a 5th grade boy
named Kees who invites the reader on the journey of his life as a kid with dyslexia. Though Kees struggles with reading and writing, he demonstrates his strengths in other areas such as science where he builds unique creations such as a complex papier-mâché volcano. The authors do a wonderful job at explaining how the mind of a young person with dyslexia might react to the world around them with such examples as:
"In a similar way, my brain doesn’t process Android stuff, like text, instructions, or
numbers, very well. My brain is better at decoding pictures and designs and 3D things".
Being a teacher of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs), I greatly appreciate authors like Gea Meijering and Mads Johan Øgaard, who write beautiful stories that are not only relatable for our young readers, but also adults too. By having more diverse books like Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid, we can better understand and help to break down the stereotypes related to SLDs like dyslexia. I will definitely be recommending this book to my students and families moving forward.
named Kees who invites the reader on the journey of his life as a kid with dyslexia. Though Kees struggles with reading and writing, he demonstrates his strengths in other areas such as science where he builds unique creations such as a complex papier-mâché volcano. The authors do a wonderful job at explaining how the mind of a young person with dyslexia might react to the world around them with such examples as:
"In a similar way, my brain doesn’t process Android stuff, like text, instructions, or
numbers, very well. My brain is better at decoding pictures and designs and 3D things".
Being a teacher of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs), I greatly appreciate authors like Gea Meijering and Mads Johan Øgaard, who write beautiful stories that are not only relatable for our young readers, but also adults too. By having more diverse books like Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid, we can better understand and help to break down the stereotypes related to SLDs like dyslexia. I will definitely be recommending this book to my students and families moving forward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2022
Hacking the Code, The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D- Kid
Author, Gea Meijering
Illustrator, Mads Johan Ogaard
Pub date: 4.11.21
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @hacking.the.code for my #gifted copy!
What a funny and unique way to teach kids grades 3 to 7ish that not all of our brains work the same way and to focus on our talents strengths, weaknesses, and differences in a positive and engaging way!
Entertaining and relatable, Hacking the Code is a perfect book to share with students who struggle with dyslexia as well as to allow others to empathize with their friends- after all, you either have an apple brain or an android brain- we are all not alike and we all process things differently! I love the awareness this book brings not only to a neurodiverse child, but also to his peers.
With fun illustrations, silly pranks, and realistic school and friend situations, Hacking the Code is a perfect book to share with your classroom or in your home. Highlighting the importance of self- awareness, empathy, and embracing one's strengths, this book really shines in exposing how challenges allow for growth, success, and inspiration.
Author, Gea Meijering
Illustrator, Mads Johan Ogaard
Pub date: 4.11.21
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @hacking.the.code for my #gifted copy!
What a funny and unique way to teach kids grades 3 to 7ish that not all of our brains work the same way and to focus on our talents strengths, weaknesses, and differences in a positive and engaging way!
Entertaining and relatable, Hacking the Code is a perfect book to share with students who struggle with dyslexia as well as to allow others to empathize with their friends- after all, you either have an apple brain or an android brain- we are all not alike and we all process things differently! I love the awareness this book brings not only to a neurodiverse child, but also to his peers.
With fun illustrations, silly pranks, and realistic school and friend situations, Hacking the Code is a perfect book to share with your classroom or in your home. Highlighting the importance of self- awareness, empathy, and embracing one's strengths, this book really shines in exposing how challenges allow for growth, success, and inspiration.
July 16, 2022
Book Review
Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid by Gea Meijering
A genuinely funny, humorous middle-grade book about everyday school realities, especially from the eyes of those kids who find it difficult to fit in with all the other students. This book might help them believe that they are capable enough to conquer this world.
Hacking the Code is about Kees and Pete, two kind and caring friends from diverse backgrounds who have their own quirky personalities, but their differences don’t matter. They accept each other just as they are,
Join Kees and Pete as they have a lot of fun along the way with their new secret friends group called NADMIL.
Hacking the Code is a thoughtful book intended to help children with special needs, give them confidence and make them stronger enough to achieve their goals. This book tells children that everyone is unique on their own, and the analogy of the creative Apple brain versus the more structured Android brain. Sometimes our brain is designed differently so don’t worry, go slow at your own pace and discover your true passion.
Perfect for 7+
Grab your copy from Amazon.
Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid by Gea Meijering
A genuinely funny, humorous middle-grade book about everyday school realities, especially from the eyes of those kids who find it difficult to fit in with all the other students. This book might help them believe that they are capable enough to conquer this world.
Hacking the Code is about Kees and Pete, two kind and caring friends from diverse backgrounds who have their own quirky personalities, but their differences don’t matter. They accept each other just as they are,
Join Kees and Pete as they have a lot of fun along the way with their new secret friends group called NADMIL.
Hacking the Code is a thoughtful book intended to help children with special needs, give them confidence and make them stronger enough to achieve their goals. This book tells children that everyone is unique on their own, and the analogy of the creative Apple brain versus the more structured Android brain. Sometimes our brain is designed differently so don’t worry, go slow at your own pace and discover your true passion.
Perfect for 7+
Grab your copy from Amazon.
September 28, 2024
*I received a free copy of this title to review for Multicultural Children's Book Day.*
My 6th-grade daughter and I read this one together recently and found it to be a fun but insightful read. While it shows life at school through the eyes of a dyslexic kid in elementary school, it shows that some of that experience involves typical kid shenanigans and some involves serious challenges due to his dyslexia. That said, it does a great job in helping kids understand what other learners go through while also reminding kids with dyslexia or similar challenges that they’re aren’t alone out there.
Also worth noting, we listened to the audiobook as we read. The comic-style illustrations in the physical book were fun and engaging while the audio narrator does a fantastic job capturing the emotions Kees experiences throughout the story.
My 6th-grade daughter and I read this one together recently and found it to be a fun but insightful read. While it shows life at school through the eyes of a dyslexic kid in elementary school, it shows that some of that experience involves typical kid shenanigans and some involves serious challenges due to his dyslexia. That said, it does a great job in helping kids understand what other learners go through while also reminding kids with dyslexia or similar challenges that they’re aren’t alone out there.
Also worth noting, we listened to the audiobook as we read. The comic-style illustrations in the physical book were fun and engaging while the audio narrator does a fantastic job capturing the emotions Kees experiences throughout the story.
January 26, 2023
I received a copy of Gea Meijering's "Hacking the Code" illustrated by Mads Johan Øgaard for Multicultural Children's Book Day to help promote diversity in children's books. This book features a main character, Kees who discovers that he is dyslexic. During his last year of elementary school, Kees and his friends pull pranks and build friendships throughout the book. While I really enjoyed some parts of this book, like the conversation with his Opa, other parts seemed forced and not necessarily how my students would talk. I think this is a worthwhile book for kids to read as it does show how everyone learns differently and everyone has strengths. #ReadYourWorld
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@icarepress
@hacking.the.code
February 18, 2023
Easy to read because of the bigger than normal line spacing and clear font. A good book to share with a young person who is facing difficulties with reading and writing.
People with dyslexia work twice as hard as everyone else at decoding and encoding just to ‘almost survive’ in our left-brain world. Many times they fail and are made to feel dumb by peers, teachers, even parents sometimes.
This book for the young will help them have the words to talk about their difficulties. Yet, the paradox is that they may not want to read it because reading is just ‘too hard’ for them. So maybe it is the others- the peers, teachers, school personnel, policymakers, parents- who should read this and see how they can support those who are dyslexic amongst us.
People with dyslexia work twice as hard as everyone else at decoding and encoding just to ‘almost survive’ in our left-brain world. Many times they fail and are made to feel dumb by peers, teachers, even parents sometimes.
This book for the young will help them have the words to talk about their difficulties. Yet, the paradox is that they may not want to read it because reading is just ‘too hard’ for them. So maybe it is the others- the peers, teachers, school personnel, policymakers, parents- who should read this and see how they can support those who are dyslexic amongst us.
September 6, 2021
I picked up this book for one of the dyslexic students whom I tutor. It is very high interest, featuring exploits of a group of elementary school kids. The main character is dyslexic, and his many school complaints resonated with my dyslexic student. The ending is a victorious one, which I think is important for fictional books about kids who struggle. There are some extras at the end to help a child and his or her parents sort of if they might possibly be dyslexic, although it is not specifically referred to in that way. Lots of great research and thought clearly went into the writing of this fun book!
April 20, 2022
This was a sweet story that I am happy to pass onto my kids.
Kees is a typical 5th grader except that he has trouble with language (dyslexia). He gets having to read out loud, to write paragraphs, and to do spelling tests.
When he goes a prank too far, his principal makes him write a 2 page paper on "the hardest thing he's ever done" in 2 weeks! This makes him panic as he knows it will be too hard for him to do.
I really like how he explains how his brain works. He calls it an Apple brain and that because, like an Android code can't work for an Apple phone, it doesn't process this like the other kids.
Way to put a fabulous neurodiverse kid at the center of this story!
Kees is a typical 5th grader except that he has trouble with language (dyslexia). He gets having to read out loud, to write paragraphs, and to do spelling tests.
When he goes a prank too far, his principal makes him write a 2 page paper on "the hardest thing he's ever done" in 2 weeks! This makes him panic as he knows it will be too hard for him to do.
I really like how he explains how his brain works. He calls it an Apple brain and that because, like an Android code can't work for an Apple phone, it doesn't process this like the other kids.
Way to put a fabulous neurodiverse kid at the center of this story!
February 16, 2023
A chapter book all kids should read!
A great story that presents dyslexia through the eyes of a child. This book is a great resource for all children. Some may find they relate to the main character with dyslexia while others can benefit from learning what their peers may be experiencing. Thank you, Gea! I will be sharing this book with both of my children, one with and one without learning disabilities.
A great story that presents dyslexia through the eyes of a child. This book is a great resource for all children. Some may find they relate to the main character with dyslexia while others can benefit from learning what their peers may be experiencing. Thank you, Gea! I will be sharing this book with both of my children, one with and one without learning disabilities.
May 31, 2022
✨Review from my 4th grader ✨
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part was when they did the pranks! I learned about dyslexia and that some people struggle with this. There was letter/word puzzle at the end that took me a long time to figure out and showed me how complicated it is to learn to read and write with dyslexia.
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part was when they did the pranks! I learned about dyslexia and that some people struggle with this. There was letter/word puzzle at the end that took me a long time to figure out and showed me how complicated it is to learn to read and write with dyslexia.
August 15, 2023
It’s a nice story (more wish fulfillment than reality, and that’s fine). But the writing quality was poor. Misplaced and dangling modifiers frequently led to my dyslexic child saying “what does that mean?” after reading a sentence. The formatting with extra spaces between paragraphs also confused my kid.
January 11, 2024
Hacking the Code: this is exactly what reading feels like for dyslexic children! Words and letters are like a code they don’t have a key for.
This chapter book illustrates the life and journey of Kees (pronounced in the Dutch way!), a dyslexic boy who is good at science, fixing things with his hands, making friends, drawing, solving other people’s problems, pulling pranks etc.
In this highly entertaining book, Gea Meijering addresses misperceptions about dyslexia, this “hidden disability” that is not visible to others which makes it so difficult to spot! She reveals the fear and struggles dyslexic children face, from being bullied and called lazy, or being tested for spelling skills at school, to general misunderstandings and impatience from others. But far from shedding a negative light on dyslexia, Gea Meijering illustrates in inspiring and encouraging ways how the protagonist Kees masters those everyday situations with creativity and grit, and manages to help others by doing so.
The protagonist Kees takes the reader through a series of everyday scenarios at school, with family and friends. For example, when he explains vividly how he perceives and understands complex subjects without needing to read about them. When the task at school is to build a bug: “I don’t even have to look at the instructions. I can see it in my head how to put the bug together.” (p.91). Or when he shares his struggles with writing an essay with his mother: “It’s a disaster. I can’t write that essay. You know me, I hate writing. It’s like getting teeth pulled. My head always feels like a pinball machine. Ding, ding, ding, ding. Thoughts bounce around my skull, but can’t seem to get them out on paper. I can draw my thoughts. Totally fine with that. But writing it down. Nah! It will take forever. My brain is cracking and my stomach hurts, every vein in my body protests. Blocking everything. It’s making me very uncomfortable all the time. Do you know what I mean, Mom? It’s like you and Dad filling out your tax papers. I always hear Dad swearing when it’s time to do that. It’s not something new for you two! Is it? You’ve done it a million times. And lucky for you that’s only once a year”. (p.65). As dyslexic parents have a 40-60% chance to have dyslexic children, the conversation Kees has with his dyslexic Opa (grandfather), who shares encouraging tips and strategies with him, adds a very important perspective to the topic.
Hacking the Code raises the awareness of children’s rights and needs to be given the right code to function in our world. The way Kees explains it to his principal towards the end of the book sums it up nicely: “Just like you can’t run Android software on an Apple device. I am constantly hacking the Android code to make something of it, if anything… The school needs to give lessons to those kids with an Apple brain in the right code. Simple!” (p.162) If you want to find out whether you have an “Apple brain or an Android brain” you can take Kees’ quiz in the final chapter of the book.
If you are looking for a book that explains what being dyslexic entails in a fun and entertaining way, or if you want your dyslexic child to identify with the main character of an inspiring book, Hacking the Code is a must read!
I recommend this book to 6+ to 12 year old children, as well as their parents and teachers, educators, school principals, policy makers, speech and language pathologists, as it invites to see dyslexia from an encouraging perspective with emphasis on the potential that lies in having dyslexic children in the classroom and in the society!
It is about time that neuro-divergent children are recognized by what they are capable of, and to finally understand that they are not any less than others, as their strength lies in other domains than our current system tends to value more.
Hacking the Code is easy to read for dyslexic people thanks to the letter spacing and the many illustrations by Mads Johan Øgaard.
To make reading “Hacking the Code” more motivating for all dyslexic children, especially for emergent readers, I suggest combining the book with the audio version.
My wish after reading this book is for a similar book with a female protagonist since dyslexic girls tend to be under-identified, and translations in all possible languages to “spread the word” as wide as possible.
Teachers can find a free Lesson Plan & Activity Guide to download on this website: http://icarepress.com/
This chapter book illustrates the life and journey of Kees (pronounced in the Dutch way!), a dyslexic boy who is good at science, fixing things with his hands, making friends, drawing, solving other people’s problems, pulling pranks etc.
In this highly entertaining book, Gea Meijering addresses misperceptions about dyslexia, this “hidden disability” that is not visible to others which makes it so difficult to spot! She reveals the fear and struggles dyslexic children face, from being bullied and called lazy, or being tested for spelling skills at school, to general misunderstandings and impatience from others. But far from shedding a negative light on dyslexia, Gea Meijering illustrates in inspiring and encouraging ways how the protagonist Kees masters those everyday situations with creativity and grit, and manages to help others by doing so.
The protagonist Kees takes the reader through a series of everyday scenarios at school, with family and friends. For example, when he explains vividly how he perceives and understands complex subjects without needing to read about them. When the task at school is to build a bug: “I don’t even have to look at the instructions. I can see it in my head how to put the bug together.” (p.91). Or when he shares his struggles with writing an essay with his mother: “It’s a disaster. I can’t write that essay. You know me, I hate writing. It’s like getting teeth pulled. My head always feels like a pinball machine. Ding, ding, ding, ding. Thoughts bounce around my skull, but can’t seem to get them out on paper. I can draw my thoughts. Totally fine with that. But writing it down. Nah! It will take forever. My brain is cracking and my stomach hurts, every vein in my body protests. Blocking everything. It’s making me very uncomfortable all the time. Do you know what I mean, Mom? It’s like you and Dad filling out your tax papers. I always hear Dad swearing when it’s time to do that. It’s not something new for you two! Is it? You’ve done it a million times. And lucky for you that’s only once a year”. (p.65). As dyslexic parents have a 40-60% chance to have dyslexic children, the conversation Kees has with his dyslexic Opa (grandfather), who shares encouraging tips and strategies with him, adds a very important perspective to the topic.
Hacking the Code raises the awareness of children’s rights and needs to be given the right code to function in our world. The way Kees explains it to his principal towards the end of the book sums it up nicely: “Just like you can’t run Android software on an Apple device. I am constantly hacking the Android code to make something of it, if anything… The school needs to give lessons to those kids with an Apple brain in the right code. Simple!” (p.162) If you want to find out whether you have an “Apple brain or an Android brain” you can take Kees’ quiz in the final chapter of the book.
If you are looking for a book that explains what being dyslexic entails in a fun and entertaining way, or if you want your dyslexic child to identify with the main character of an inspiring book, Hacking the Code is a must read!
I recommend this book to 6+ to 12 year old children, as well as their parents and teachers, educators, school principals, policy makers, speech and language pathologists, as it invites to see dyslexia from an encouraging perspective with emphasis on the potential that lies in having dyslexic children in the classroom and in the society!
It is about time that neuro-divergent children are recognized by what they are capable of, and to finally understand that they are not any less than others, as their strength lies in other domains than our current system tends to value more.
Hacking the Code is easy to read for dyslexic people thanks to the letter spacing and the many illustrations by Mads Johan Øgaard.
To make reading “Hacking the Code” more motivating for all dyslexic children, especially for emergent readers, I suggest combining the book with the audio version.
My wish after reading this book is for a similar book with a female protagonist since dyslexic girls tend to be under-identified, and translations in all possible languages to “spread the word” as wide as possible.
Teachers can find a free Lesson Plan & Activity Guide to download on this website: http://icarepress.com/
January 17, 2023
John Kees simply known as Kees takes the reader on his ziggety zaggety journey of self-discovery trying to fit into a traditional school setting with dyslexia. Each day Kees feels he is hacking a code to survive since he is a slow reader and writer, always the last one to finish.
“Hacking the Code” is a fun read-aloud book to use in the classroom promoting discussion on how all our brains are different and how we all learn in different ways. It also addresses misconceptions and truths about dyslexia defined as a learning disability. A struggling child can easily identify with Kees's school experiences, his frustration with a younger sibling who can do everything better and faster, his bonding with friends who form a club called NADMIL (Never A Dull Moment In Ladville) and his bold adventures with best friend Pete.
Kees is the star character who details his fifth-grade year. His overly active imagination often gets him in trouble with teachers and the principal pulling pranks that create humorous situations. Kees often finds it a bit scary watching his classmates fill up blank pages with words, sentences, and paragraphs leaving him staring at a blank page. Over the course of the year, Kees found he was no stranger to punishment. But the hardest one for him to swallow was from the principal to write a two-page essay. He states “I would rather do trash duty any day over writing a senseless essay.”
I found one of the most creative and ingenious parts of the story was the use of the analogy of Smartphones Apple and Android to explain how the brain works. Smartphones are something easily recognizable for children to relate to. Kees learns his “Apple Brain” is not made for a lot of school activities but found his brain did better at decoding pictures and, designing things. thinking, dreaming, and inventing rather than an “Android Brain” which focuses on reading texts, instructions, and a number of related activities.
A shift in the storyline occurs when Kees finally is diagnosed as being dyslexic. After a battery of tests he invites the reader to participate in some sample tests, often found in psycho-ed assessments, to identify with either being an “Android thinker” or an “Apple thinker.” The storyline encourages one to accept the learning difference side of dyslexia rather than viewing it simply as a disability.
The author hopes the learning community will rethink the ways of teaching children who have “Apple Brains” who find it necessary each day to use a hacking code to get by. Celebrating and valuing the strengths of each student is one of the ultimate goals of teaching. I highly recommend this book for teachers and parents as a great learning tool with a focus on diversity.
“Hacking the Code” is a fun read-aloud book to use in the classroom promoting discussion on how all our brains are different and how we all learn in different ways. It also addresses misconceptions and truths about dyslexia defined as a learning disability. A struggling child can easily identify with Kees's school experiences, his frustration with a younger sibling who can do everything better and faster, his bonding with friends who form a club called NADMIL (Never A Dull Moment In Ladville) and his bold adventures with best friend Pete.
Kees is the star character who details his fifth-grade year. His overly active imagination often gets him in trouble with teachers and the principal pulling pranks that create humorous situations. Kees often finds it a bit scary watching his classmates fill up blank pages with words, sentences, and paragraphs leaving him staring at a blank page. Over the course of the year, Kees found he was no stranger to punishment. But the hardest one for him to swallow was from the principal to write a two-page essay. He states “I would rather do trash duty any day over writing a senseless essay.”
I found one of the most creative and ingenious parts of the story was the use of the analogy of Smartphones Apple and Android to explain how the brain works. Smartphones are something easily recognizable for children to relate to. Kees learns his “Apple Brain” is not made for a lot of school activities but found his brain did better at decoding pictures and, designing things. thinking, dreaming, and inventing rather than an “Android Brain” which focuses on reading texts, instructions, and a number of related activities.
A shift in the storyline occurs when Kees finally is diagnosed as being dyslexic. After a battery of tests he invites the reader to participate in some sample tests, often found in psycho-ed assessments, to identify with either being an “Android thinker” or an “Apple thinker.” The storyline encourages one to accept the learning difference side of dyslexia rather than viewing it simply as a disability.
The author hopes the learning community will rethink the ways of teaching children who have “Apple Brains” who find it necessary each day to use a hacking code to get by. Celebrating and valuing the strengths of each student is one of the ultimate goals of teaching. I highly recommend this book for teachers and parents as a great learning tool with a focus on diversity.
January 20, 2023
As part of Multicultural Children’s Book day, I was #gifted the ebook and audiobook version of Hacking the Code: the Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D- Kid. (The D is short for Dyslexic.) by Gea Meijering.
Hacking the Code is a journey through the life of a dyslexic fifth-grade boy, Kees. The story reminds us that everyone learns differently. Regardless of how we learn how or how our brain works, we each have strengths.
This illustrated chapter book provides kids of all ages with a clear picture of what life is like with dyslexia. Kees has a great group of friends and a kind teacher.
Kees gets into mischief at school, and his consequence is to write a two-page essay. This provides Kees with “the worst thing that has ever happened” to him. Kees often sits with an empty page while the rest of the class is scribbling away. Having 2 weeks to complete this essay will be quite a challenge as his writing skills and his ability to spell are affected by the Dyslexic qualities.
His friends try to help, but it turns out the wisdom of his grandfather provides Kees with exactly what he needs.
I encourage you to join Kees, and his friend Pete to discover how Kees hacks the code and finds a way to show the principal and his teachers exactly how difficult that can be.
This story is great for kids from 6-12 and makes an excellent read-aloud. The book is delightful – the characters are endearing, and the story is full of warmth and humor. The writing is to the point, and the story itself is uplifting.
Hacking the Code teaches important lessons about friendship, courage, and academic struggles while maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere.
Kees’ story is an absolute must-read for both children and adults. It is a heartwarming tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend adding it to your curriculum.
#hackingthecode #ReadYourWorld
Hacking the Code is a journey through the life of a dyslexic fifth-grade boy, Kees. The story reminds us that everyone learns differently. Regardless of how we learn how or how our brain works, we each have strengths.
This illustrated chapter book provides kids of all ages with a clear picture of what life is like with dyslexia. Kees has a great group of friends and a kind teacher.
Kees gets into mischief at school, and his consequence is to write a two-page essay. This provides Kees with “the worst thing that has ever happened” to him. Kees often sits with an empty page while the rest of the class is scribbling away. Having 2 weeks to complete this essay will be quite a challenge as his writing skills and his ability to spell are affected by the Dyslexic qualities.
His friends try to help, but it turns out the wisdom of his grandfather provides Kees with exactly what he needs.
I encourage you to join Kees, and his friend Pete to discover how Kees hacks the code and finds a way to show the principal and his teachers exactly how difficult that can be.
This story is great for kids from 6-12 and makes an excellent read-aloud. The book is delightful – the characters are endearing, and the story is full of warmth and humor. The writing is to the point, and the story itself is uplifting.
Hacking the Code teaches important lessons about friendship, courage, and academic struggles while maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere.
Kees’ story is an absolute must-read for both children and adults. It is a heartwarming tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend adding it to your curriculum.
#hackingthecode #ReadYourWorld
November 22, 2022
Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid, written by Gea Meijering and illustrated by Mads Johan Øgaard, tells the story of how fifth grader Kees comes to discover and embrace his dyslexia. But it’s so much more than a story about dyslexia!
From explaining how every brain works differently, to addressing the frustration kids feel when they struggle to accomplish something, to displaying how to support friends, this book covers a lot of important topics in a way that easily connects with young readers.
Hacking the Code reminded my daughter and me of books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, full of friendship, pranks, and incredibly relatable childhood experiences. While I felt the illustrations were a welcome, yet relatively simple addition, my 7-year-old pored over each of them with intensity. I found myself constantly saying, “Okay….okaaay, I need the book back to keep reading.”
Perhaps her favorite part was the test in the back of the book, to help you figure out how your brain works. We took a bet over what her results would be and she laughed and cheered when she was right after all.
When I asked her for her review of the book, she said, “I loved it! This is the winner!” She then asked if the author had written any more books about Kees (and urged me, “Tell her she has to write more!”) and even created her own book about a dyslexic dog and his adventures with his friends.
Overall, I enjoyed the positive messages in the book and my daughter loved everything about it. She’s rooting for author Gea Meijering to write a sequel and I’m positive she’ll pester me regularly to check for one.
From explaining how every brain works differently, to addressing the frustration kids feel when they struggle to accomplish something, to displaying how to support friends, this book covers a lot of important topics in a way that easily connects with young readers.
Hacking the Code reminded my daughter and me of books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, full of friendship, pranks, and incredibly relatable childhood experiences. While I felt the illustrations were a welcome, yet relatively simple addition, my 7-year-old pored over each of them with intensity. I found myself constantly saying, “Okay….okaaay, I need the book back to keep reading.”
Perhaps her favorite part was the test in the back of the book, to help you figure out how your brain works. We took a bet over what her results would be and she laughed and cheered when she was right after all.
When I asked her for her review of the book, she said, “I loved it! This is the winner!” She then asked if the author had written any more books about Kees (and urged me, “Tell her she has to write more!”) and even created her own book about a dyslexic dog and his adventures with his friends.
Overall, I enjoyed the positive messages in the book and my daughter loved everything about it. She’s rooting for author Gea Meijering to write a sequel and I’m positive she’ll pester me regularly to check for one.
January 31, 2025
I was #gifted this book by the #ReadYourWorld program. Hacking the Code provides some helpful insights into what it's like to be a dyslexic learner. For students who have dyslexia, I imagine it's a powerful opportunity for them to feel understood and to see their neurodivergence represented in a story. For other students, it's an opportunity to build empathy and understanding for peers with "Apple" brains that may struggle with reading and writing. It also has a powerful message about how those difficulties don't define them, and that they may have some amazing strengths in other areas. As a teacher, it was yet another reminder that there are still a number of students who are not well served by many of the traditional methods used in schools.
I dropped my rating a star because although the characters are in 5th grade, the text felt a little more juvenile than that to me. It has the feeling of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, but the text is even a little more simplistic. I think that my 5th grade students would be put off a bit by that, but 3rd and 4th graders would likely enjoy it.
I dropped my rating a star because although the characters are in 5th grade, the text felt a little more juvenile than that to me. It has the feeling of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, but the text is even a little more simplistic. I think that my 5th grade students would be put off a bit by that, but 3rd and 4th graders would likely enjoy it.
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