Fish in a tree - Review

I think all the kids should read this book.  Not just kids every adult should also read this book.  Of course its an uplifting novel with a fairy tale ending, but what sets it apart is the bravery of the kids.  It deals with the world of Ally who is the protagonist and who has a different learning ability.  When the parents are busy to deal with the kids (well, not intentionally), the kids have a hard time dealing with big problems posed their ways.  And when a kid is called dumb umpteen no of times their whole life, they starting believing it and they also have a hard time to face their world.  Not just kids, I think everyone has the same psychology.

The story starts cold and dark with the many problems Ally has been facing all her life in school.  But I did not understand why she doesn't ask for help.  Not even to her mother.  And she is in sixth grade, so I think these kind of difficulties could have been caught a lot earlier.  Maybe that is why the author mentions that the family has been moving a lot.  Still I think its kinda late.  But her courage and creativity are something to note.  Later when I read the epilogue I understood that the author has gone through a similar, if not the same, problem and Ally just mimics her strategies.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the kids handle constant bullying, not just the protagonist, but every kid their own way.  And its not just bullying, the author shows many different problems a child's world can pose.  But the good thing is without being preachy, the story leaves a subtle message.

And the most important message is that the marks don't define if you are intelligent or dumb.  Creativity and problem solving go a long way, far from marks and assessment.  The author draws inspiration for Mr. Daniels from her own teacher Mr. Christy, which is touching.  Because a good teacher can shape a child's life for better.  Maybe parents, students, even teacher can take a point or two about how to handle kids with difficulties.

I just know when a child with dyslexia read this book, or rather hear it,  he or she can readily place herself in Ally's shoe and feel uplifting, hopeful and bright.  I recommend it to 4th to 6th grade children.

A movie with the same theme was Taare Zameen Par.  It was released in 2007 and was an eyeopener about dyslexia (atleast to me).  Similarly Aamir Khan potrays a teacher who change the life of Ishaan the boy with dyslexia.  Watch it if you like this novel.  It sure will leave a warm feeling.