Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally Nickerson has been to seven schools in seven years.  She struggles with reading and writing and has become quite skilled in avoiding assignments during school.  Sometimes she acts out in order to be sent to the principal’s office in order to avoid an assignment.  

After a few blunders in her current classroom, she is moved to a different class.  Her new teacher, Mr. Daniels, quickly picks up on Ally’s challenges.  He works with Ally, first during class, then after school, and helps her understand how she learns.  Feisty Keisha and brilliant Albert quickly become Ally’s friends and help her adjust to her new classroom.

This story reminded me of several students who have passed through my classroom.  It’s told from Ally’s perspective, which I found enlightening.  This is a great story for everyone to read, whether you have worried about school, struggled in school, or excelled in school.  It reminds us that everyone learns differently.  In fact, the quote, “Everybody is smart in different ways.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing is it stupid.” is featured on the inside cover flap.  So true!  

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

Mim Malone is not okay.  She walks out of school one day and escapes her new life.  Her parents divorced, and three months later she is living with her father and stepmother in Jackson, Mississippi, a thousand miles away from her old life.  She boards a  Greyhound bus from Jackson, Mississippi  to Cleveland, Ohio.  She is determined to find her mom.  More importantly, she finds herself.  

During her journey, Mim meets a variety of people.  Carl, the Greyhound bus driver; Arlene, her seatmate  with a mysterious box (bless her heart and rest her soul); the disgusting Pancho Man; creepy Caleb; the fabulous Ahab and the Pale Whale; Officer Randy; Dr. Michelle Clark; and sad Claire, all contribute to Mim’s adventure in their own ways.  

The characters who help her the mst on her journey are Walt, a homeless kid with Down’s Syndrome, and Beck (sigh!), a college student on his own quest.  Mim, Walt and Beck become fast friends.  Wit their love, support, and encouragement, Mim is able to complete her mission.  

This is a story about finding hope in sucky situations, believing in yourself, growing up, facing the truth, and forgiving.  It is funny, sad, hopeful, and definitely worth reading.

As Mim says, sometimes a thing’s not a thing until you say it out loud.  This book is A THING.  I will say it out loud (and  type it on this blog).  It’s A THING!