Thank You, Mr. Falker (edition 1998)

Great classic book about a struggling student who finally finds comfort and resources in a teacher. Many lesson's to be learned, like not giving up, trusting others, and embracing your flaws.

In this book, a wise and determined teacher nutures a child's passion for reading by helping her to develop and strengthen her reading skills. Frustration and social insecurities related to her reading abilities have hurt her self esteem. By accepting the child for who she is as an individual learner, the teacher enables the child to accept herself and to work toward her reading goals from a place of focusing on ability, rather than disablity. The word dyslexia, is not mentioned in this book--in keeping with this very attitude of positivity and inclusive acceptance. This book show us the real life pain caused to a person when they are not accepted and are put down. This story models how people should view and interact with one another--as just people, rather than in reaction to the lables placed upon us.
Source: Pierce County Library (University Place)
Ages: 6 and up

A great mentor text to model voice. Children should be able to write, but it is also important to know how to speak . Also a spectacular book with many issues to discuss such as belonging and being different

Acclaimed children's author and artist Patricia Polacco draws on her own youthful experience with dyslexia in this autobiographical picture-book, perfectly capturing both the anguish of a young person who wants to learn, and is made to feel stupid because of her disability, and the incredible difference an understanding teacher can make to a struggling student. Taught to revere books, and the stories they contain, young Trisha looks forward to the day when she too learns to read. But when she finally gets the chance, she discovers that the letters move before her eyes, "wiggling" in such a way that she cannot make them out. Soon, she has fallen far behind her peers, and starts to believe their taunting claims that she is dumb. It is only after many years, when fifth-grade teacher Mr. Falker comes into her life, that Trisha finally gets the help she needs...

Polacco has done it again with Thank You, Mr. Falker, creating an incredibly moving book, with visual and textual narratives that complement one another perfectly. The illustrations here really capture Trisha's embarrassment, frustration and shame, drawing the reader into her experience. I found myself choking up while reading this, and given the number of times this happens with Polacco's books, I'm starting to wonder if I should stop reading her books on the commuter train! In any case, this is one that I highly recommend to all young children who have a learning disability, and to the adults and children in their lives. Truly, an outstanding book! ( )