Adam Zigzag

by Barbara Barrie

Popularity, good looks, and a life of privilege are not enough to counter Adam's severe dyslexia and, now a teenager, he is desperate to learn to read and to find his missing life.

181 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adam Zigzag is the emotional story about the life of a boy named Adam who gets diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school when he starts having trouble reading, keeping up with homework, and fitting into a classroom setting. Told in alternating voices, one chapter is from Adam's perspective and one chapter is from his older sister Caroline's perspective. Adam's parents try everything from special tutors, psychologists, and conferences with teachers, but nothing seems to help, and Adam falls deeper into feeling inadequate and badly about himself, eventually turning to drugs during his teen years. Finally, Adam finds a place in which he could learn at a special boarding school, giving up drugs, and making positive changes in his life. An uplifting ending to the story of a boy with a learning disability who overcomes many obstacles to find success.

[Jill Madsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a young boy who struggles with reading and the troubled road he goes down when he feels like being successful at anything is helpless. Reminded me of how hard reading was for me and how thankful I am for Mr. Lauder who in 8th grade spent hours teaching me to read and getting me caught up! Now I am a reading machine!!! :)