Hudson Hates School

by Ella Hudson

Hudson is good at a lot of things, but spelling isn't one of them. In fact, having to do spelling tests is one of the many things he HATES about school. After another horrible day Hudson declares he will never go back to school. But one final very different test helps Hudson understand why he is special... and how he can learn to learn!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hudson really dislikes school and when a spelling test comes back, he remembers why. All his classmates laugh at his poor results and he is left to cower in the corner. When some special tests are performed, Hudson learns something special about himself, allowing a new track of learning to be undertaken. Neo wondered about all the different ways people can learn and how sitting and listening is not for everyone. Still, I needed to remind him that listening is key, no matter what type of learning you might be.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up the book Hudson Hates School, I was pleasantly surprised about the story. This sweet story is about a boy that hates school. But once he learns that he has dyslexia, he gets help with his school work and school isn’t so bad anymore. This book helps to shows readers that it’s okay to learn differently, it’s okay to be angry and frustrated, and you do have people that learn like you. This story brings awareness to dyslexia and how it affects students. I enjoyed this book because it gave me a new perspective why students may learn differently and why they may have difficulties with learning. I really enjoyed how Hudson went from hating school to loving school after he began to have help when he needed it. When Hudson is being told that he had dyslexia, there is a description of what dyslexia is and how it affects people. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone to read.

[Chelsea Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hudson Hates School by Ella Hudson is unique and one that should be in every library for children. What is beyond interesting about this book is that Hudson is very good at many things, however he is not good with spelling. With his extreme hate for spelling and now school his teacher makes a discovery. One that leads to the finding out of Hudson having Dyslexia. Hudson’s new class he goes to during spelling time changes his views on school. He begins to love school and his classroom with other students with Dyslexia. Which is administered by a teacher who creates fun and exciting was for these students to learn. The way in which I can see this book being important is that there may be students who can relate. Dyslexia does occur in students and having them be aware that it isn’t a bad thing. Also, showing that when students do have to move to an alternative room for reading or even spelling that it is okay and that it provides them with a way to learn that really is best for them.

[Claire Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about a boy called Hudson who hates school because he finds spelling difficult and does not do well on spelling tests; his peers are not supportive of him. Later in the story, we learn that Hudson is dyslexic and the author explains what it is and why he finds spelling challenging. After this, Hudson's peers become more understanding. This is a lovely story and shows children what dyslexia is and that they should be supportive. Hudson starts to enjoy school after this point. This story is good to use in the classroom and will help children to become more aware of what dyslexia. Overall, it is a good read and a nice story that children will enjoy and understand.

[Alexandria Mizell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first began this book, I wasn't sure how much I was going to like it and I think that was because I didn't like the pictures. The more I read the book though, the more I loved it because of it's message about dyslexia. I think this is a great book for kids because it includes a mental disability, which is something that isn't talked about a lot in books. This book can help other kids understand that they're not alone and might even help them recognize it in themselves if they have a hard time at school too. I never knew exactly what dyslexia was until this book and I think that is something a lot of children would enjoy knowing.

[Megan Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very heartwarming story that can show the reason people may learn differently and may not understand the same things you do in school. This book starts out with Hudson not liking school and never doing well on his spelling tests but then learns that he has a learning disability. Once this was found out, Hudson's teachers were able to help him learn in the way he learns. Through this new found experience where Hudson now understand school, he cannot wait to go back every day and learn something new. This is a great book about the different ways people learn and dyslexia.

[Selma Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hudson Hates School by Ella Hudson is a book that follows around a student named Hudson who hates school and dreads going to class everyday. However, he finds out he has dyslexia and then gets put into a new class that really helps him. This story does a great job of introducing dyslexia for children and showing them it's not something that will get in the way of their success. I thought the illustrations in this book were fun and would be appeasing to children. Although, I didn't really enjoy the flow of the book.

[Jenna Schuler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This realistic fiction picture book was a great read! I liked reading about Hudson, the main characters and the struggles he was facing. As a future teacher it helped me understand the struggles some of my future students might face and that I don't want any of them to hate school for reasons that aren't their faults. I also liked this book because I can share it with my students and explain to them not everyone is good at everything and sometimes they have to do things in a certain way.

[Jordyn Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hudson Hates School written by Ella Hudson is a book about a child who struggles with the disability dyslexia. Hudson is the main character in the story who hates school and gets made fun of for not being as "smart" as the other kids. When Hudson gets put into special classes meant for his disability school becomes a lot easier for Hudson. This book is a great one to have in the classroom and can help other students who are feeling the same way Hudson was.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book is a cute way of teaching children about dyslexia. It is important to normalize the needs of diverse learners to foster inclusion in the classroom. Plus, it is a way for kids to feel represented in the media they consume. This book also demonstrates overcoming a problem and progressing forward. Overall, I would recommend reading this book to younger kids. It might seem a bit boring and simple for older kids, but the message is still important.

[Carly Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hudson is very bad at spelling. One spelling test finally sends Hudson over the edge, and he vows never to return to school after his horrible day. After he takes a different type of test, however, Hudson discovers that he is unique and that sets him apart from his classmates. He now knows a way to learn how to learn along with the confidence to go back to school!

[Madeline West · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book I have read so far. This book discusses the trouble of a student who has not yet been diagnosed with dyslexia. The child dislikes school, but it was all because he was not taught right. The book shows it is okay to have to learn differently. I went through him as well, so this book will be a must-read in my classroom to show that everyone knows differently.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had great images and the text was wonderful. As a person who struggled with reading and writing as a child, I found the book informative. There was a big focus on Hudson’s feels. This was until the end when he was placed in the alternate classroom. The focus shifted to his environment.

[Hilary Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for kids to read to help them better understand dyslexia. I think this could also be a great book to read when discussing bullying. Students need to understand that just because someone learns differently than them they should not be made fun of for that.

[Ella Bettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally did not think I would like this book very much, but I actually really enjoyed it. It talked about a student with dyslexia, and I thought that it did a great job of relating it to actual student experiences.
(Read aloud book)

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subject: Schools -- Pictorial works -- Juvenile fiction.
English language -- Orthography and spelling -- Pictorial works -- Juvenile fiction.
Dyslexia -- Pictorial works -- Juvenile fiction.

[Kaylee Pippin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud: this is a really cute interesting book! the pictures are well illustrated. Younger children would be very interested in this book.

[Elizabeth Prows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It’s about a little boy, Hudson, who finds out he has dyslexia which changes how he goes about school. Great book for informing children about learning disabilities!

[Zoey Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of what being disabled

[Megan Clavenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hudson hated school, until he found what worked for him! I liked this story because it can teach students about dyslexia and how it affects them or their classmates.

[Drew Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book. This book is excellent for students having difficulty transitioning to a new classroom and teacher.

[Eunice Figueroa Zambrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and very approachable. A very appropriate way to shed light in learning differences.

[Jamie McNiven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good read and I think would be good for a first-week-of-school book. It's a fun read but not particularly a book that I would create a lesson around.

[Laura Lee Denby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Hudson. He likes the same things as most children but there is one thing he HATES and that is school. When Hudson is at school, he has to do a spelling test. Hudson doesn’t know his words and does not want to take the test. He takes the test and at the end the teacher makes all of the children read out their results before they can go out to play. The other children laugh at Hudson and the teacher makes him stay behind after the lesson to practise his spellings.
Hudson cries when his Mum comes to pick him up and tells her the whole story. His Mum gets a phone call from the teacher and the next Monday at school a man comes to see Hudson. Hudson gets angry and shouts at the man, but when he has calmed down the man tells him not to worry as they aren’t the kind of tests he can get wrong. Hudson has a go at the tests and it turns out he has Dyslexia. After that Hudson gets to go to an extra class with other children who have Dyslexia and a really exciting teacher. He started to enjoy school after that.
The book explains what Dyslexia is briefly earlier on in the book and at the end it gives a fuller description of what Dyslexia is.
This book is written by Ella Hudson, who has Dyslexia herself. The book handles a delicate topic very well and provides a format which is easy to understand for children. This book would be useful for educating the children in your class, particularly if there is a child with Dyslexia but also if children are being unkind to those with lower abilities in any subject. It would be very useful as a resource during circle time.

[Helen Louden]

Hudson Hates School by Ella Hudson (Frances Lincoln children’s books 2010)
This book tells the story of how Hudson hates school because he can’t do the work. He particularly doesn’t like spelling tests when his friends laugh at him. One day a Mr Shepherd takes him to a room where he discovers that Hudson has dyslexia. Mr Shepherd explains to Bryn why he finds difficulty with his learning and helps him to overcome his difficulties. Now Bryn enjoys school.
I would use this book for children in lower key stage two because of the technical explanation of dyslexia.
This book tackles the issue of name calling because a child cannot do the work. It helps develop an understanding in children that it is not their fault if they have difficulty learning.
I would use this in PSHE lessons or as a general story to highlight how some children may have difficulty and how the way we treat them may affect their self esteem. This book would also help a child who was having learning difficulties; giving them an understanding of their difficulties and raising their self esteem and confidence.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Hudson Hates School" is a story that might be helpful to everyone in the classroom setting. First of all, maybe teachers will become more aware how some classroom practices, like trading papers and calling out test results in front of classmates, might be stressful for kids and set them up for teasing. Secondly, maybe some children will gain an understanding of different ways that brains work and as a result might have more compassion for those who are having difficulties. Finally, children who don't like school may find hope. Maybe they will realize that they can learn in a different way and in a different environment just like Hudson. Experiencing success can change attitudes.

I thought the illustrations were very unusual. The proportions on the people were not true-to-life and I found this created an unsettled, even unfriendly mood. And since the story was about being uncomfortable, I guess these odd illustrations did really help tell the story.

[Cashele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hudson Hates School by Ella Hudson is a story that shows the change in a childs perspective on school. Hudson is not very good at school and the other children make fun of him. He soon find out he has a learning disability and finds a place that fits his needs to learn. In the end Hudson learns to love school, now that he understand how to learn. I think that this book is informative for other children who might have learning disabilities. It lets them know that it can be fun you just have to find your own way to learn that works for you. All in all it was a joyful book with wonderful artwork that i believe children would love.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about dyslexia - the reason Hudson hates school is because of how hard it is and the way the other children think he's stupid. The author has dyslexia herself so this book has been created from a real place of understanding, she can help the reader to understand how Hudson is feeling. I think young children who are having difficulties with literacy, or who have dyslexia could find this book a comfort and something that gives them hope.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hudson is good at a lot of things, but spelling isn't one of them. In fact, having to do spelling tests is one of the many things he HATES about school. After another horrible day Hudson declares he will never go back to school. But one final very different test helps Hudson understand why he is special... and how he can learn to learn!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the illustrations for this book were not my style, I enjoyed the their semi-comic nature(e.g. the use of speech bubbles). This story about a child's struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia was informative and interesting, and will no doubt be useful to children learning to deal with their own experiences with learning difficulties.