Fish in a Tree

Fish in a Tree
by Linda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree

Grades 4 & up

Realistic Fiction

One for the Murphys
Out of Order

Book Summary:
Ally spends her school days trying to fool her teachers so no one will discover she can't read, but she is bright and capable in other areas. Sometimes, the truth is exhausting to hide - and lonely.

Book Review:
This book is a mix of Because of Mr. Terupt and Sahara Special, and has a lot of good things to offer. I wish the resident mean girl were more complex and not merely mean, and the fact that Ally is dyslexic is pretty obvious early on to any adult reader. The book suffers a smidge from the Perfect Teacher Syndrome. Beyond those things, it's a relatable tale that would make a good read-aloud. Kids in grades 4-6 (or capable third graders) could pick this up and devour it, connecting to the social struggles and the realistic North American school culture presented in this book.