February
06
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Great Minds Don’t Think Alike by Jason Lewis
“People act like the words ‘slow reader’ tells them everything that’s inside. Like I’m a can of soup and they can just read the list of ingredients and know everything about me. There’s lots of stuff about the soup inside that they can’t put on the label, like how it smells and tastes and makes you feel warm when you eat it. There’s got to be more to me than just a kid who can’t read well.”
In Fish in a Tree we are immediately introduced to Ally Nickerson, a girl that has trouble reading and writing. Ally’s troubles cause her to feel bad about herself giving her low self-esteem and a bad reputation. In order to avoid school assignments dealing with reading and writing, Ally often creates distractions that have her heading to the principal’s office. Even when her intentions are good, she still finds herself sitting in front of the principal. The messages that Ally receives from the people around her also contribute to her low self-esteem. The students in her class frequently make fun and laugh at her while teachers don’t expect much from her as they pass her on from one grade to the next.
Enter Mr. Daniels. Mr. Daniels is exactly the opposite of Ally’s previous teachers. He quickly realizes that there’s more to Ally Nickerson than meets the eye, that her mind works a little differently. His calming teaching style coupled with his kind-hearted, patient attitude has Ally wanting to impress a teacher for the first time in her life. Growing up, Ally has defined herself as the dumb girl who can’t read. Mr. Daniels shows her that there’s more to her than just a girl who can’t read. He shows her that she’s actually a lot smarter than she had been giving herself credit for, as she continually completes her work while preventing her learning difficulties from being discovered. Through classroom activities that force Ally to solve them in unique ways, Mr. Daniels shows her that great minds don’t think alike. After being diagnosed with dyslexia and accepting this, Ally allows Mr. D. to help her. With Mr. Daniels’ confidence in Ally, Ally’s own self-esteem improves and she is able to blossom into the person she was meant to be, full of confidence and not afraid to take risks.
As in One for the Murphys, Lynda’s characters in Fish in a Tree took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Lynda’s characters are so real, dealing with everyday problems that the reader can’t help but become invested emotionally. My heart breaks for Ally as she struggled early on and faced obstacles throughout the story. I couldn’t imagine how teacher after teacher squashed her self-esteem. I was furious with Ally’s peers for their actions towards her. Although they may have only said a word or two, rolled their eyes or snickered, the negative impact on Ally was tremendous. I was excited to meet Mr. Daniels, certain that he was going to be the positive role model that Ally desperately needed. When we first meet Keisha and Albert, I hoped they were going to be the friends that Ally craved…and was extremely happy to watch their friendship develop. I also loved Albert’s story and how there was more to him than meets the eye. Finally, I loved the support that Travis gave his little sister and how powerful Travis and Ally’s brother-sister relationship was.
With many tear inducing moments, this story will resonate with middle grade readers for a long time, as well as with teachers. Students will see that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but through perseverance, hard work, and acceptance those weaknesses don’t have to define us.
Teachers often question the impact they have on a child, especially those who struggle. Through Ally’s eyes, teachers will understand the negative and positive influence they can have on a child’s life in the brief amount of time they’re with them. They will see that there’s not always one way to get to an answer. Everyone can accomplish the same things, but the path you take getting there may be different than someone else’s path, and that’s okay. It is these lessons and more that make Fish in a Tree a perfect book to connect to real life. Additionally, this book is the perfect conversation starter for themes such as acceptance, perseverance, friendship, and being true to yourself. It’s not a mistake that Lynda mentions Patricia Polacco’s name in Fish in a Tree. Mr. Daniels belongs on the same Mount Rushmore of dynamic teachers like Mr. Falker and Rob Buyea’s Mr. Terupt in Because of Mr. Terupt.
Many teachers have Ally Nickersons in their classrooms. We hope that we are their Mr. Daniels. These students hope that we can spot their struggles and when they cry out for help, they hope we will be there to give them the support they need. They need us to tell them that it’s okay to not be perfect at something, it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to do things differently, it’s okay to take risks, and most importantly it’s okay to be yourself.
With Ally’s new found self-confidence, the possibilities become endless for her. She begins to feel a part of her class where her voice truly matters, she develops deep friendships, she stands up to those who have bullied her, and most importantly she begins believing in herself. Through her difficulties with school work and her peers, I was instantly rooting for Ally. I felt horrible, my stomach in knots as she encountered each obstacle. As I finished I sat there wondering about Ally’s future, confident that it would be one with many successes! Many readers of this book will see Ally in themselves and use its message to succeed in their own ways.
Jason Lewis (@jasontes5th) is a 5th grade teacher at Tyngsborough Elementary School in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. Jason recognizes his participation in the Nerdy Book Club has positively impacted the way he teaches and has introduced him to outstanding people he calls friends. Jason is honored to review Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Fish in a Tree as his very first post for Nerdy Book Club.
Hey Jason,
Nice job – you really got to the heart of the book – I coudln’t have done a better job myself, which is why I didn’t try and linked your post to my email to all of the staff at my school when I told them they all needed to go buy the book – LOL!
Mary Lou AKA @litcoachlou
Thank you, Mary Lou!! ❤
Jason-
Very nice job summing up such a wonderful book! I’m hoping to share the book and message with more of my staff (but I’m not letting them get to my signed copy)! Thanks for capturing the overall powerful messages in Fish In a Tree!
Great post. You had me from word one. I’m so glad you “jumped into the pool.”
Agreed, Jacquie. Jason did a phenomenal job. I’m grateful 🙂
Jason- This is such a great write-up and analysis of this wonderful book. As I read your words, I could tell how emotionally invested you became in this story. It is hard for you to imagine a teacher having low or no expectations for a student. It is difficult to think about the teasing she endures each day without anyone preventing it from happening. That came through loud and clear. I haven’t read this book YET, but if it captures my attention and emotion as “One for the Murphy’s” did, then I know it will have a powerful impact on me. (Sounds a lot like “Thank You, Mr. Falker!”) Thank you for sharing your wonderful insight and feelings about this story. I am going to go out and buy it this weekend!
Wow, Jason! What an incredible post to find this morning. Ironic as it may be, I hardly have the words to express how grateful I am to read this. YOU–and SO MANY of the NerdyBook friends are teachers just like Mr. Daniels. *I* am inspired every day by all of you–I truly am. It’s no secret that I love teachers, having had a few that literally saved me, but I find the cream of the crop of the profession every time I wade into this group. THANK you all for caring about the things that matter the most. You’re changing lives. Every. Day.
I am going to order the book, read it with my boys in India and perhaps read it to a class here!
Great post, Jason! I loved your mention of the teachers that reside on “Mount Rushmore” and I couldn’t agree more about the connection we all have made (or will make) with Ally’s story. Teachers will love Lynda’s work and not only be immediately reminded of past students, but inspired to support those with whom their paths cross in the future!
Would you use ‘Fish In A Tree’ as a read aloud for fifth grade or use it for book discussion groups?
This review captivated me! I absolutely have to get the book now. I recently found out that I have ADD, which was kind of a relief to discover. Before learning that, I always wondered what was “wrong” with my mind and why certain things were harder for me than my friends. My mom homeschooled me, though, which helped me learn and excel in my own way. I guess you could say she was my “Mr. Daniels.” I can’t wait to grab a copy of this novel- I’m sure I’ll need to grab some tissues too!
An incredible post and such a powerful story. Thank you for sharing. This is a great read for all teachers as well as students. Currently reading “Mindset” by Carol Dweck which brings out these kinds of issues and how we can start to help by thinking about a “growth mindset” instead of a “fixed mindset.
Great post, Jason! I was looking forward to reading Fish in a Tree, but even more so now!
It’s scary writing your first Nerdy Book Club post, isn’t it? I mean…. it’s Nerdy Book Club! Couple that with writing a review of a book by an author you admire so much, it’s daunting. I remember that’s how I felt when I wrote the NBC review of Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson. I loved the book so much, and thought it deserved to be reviewed by a GOOD writer! But what’s important is conveying how you felt about the book, and your love of FIAT shines through. Congratulations!
Fantastic review of this #heartprint book Jason! Every child deserves a school career filled with “Mr. Daniels”. Lynda’s book and your review are important reminders that the “heart” of teaching is built on relationships. That what we say and do every.single.day matters in the lives of the learners we are entrusted with each year. Not only that, but that we as adults need to remember the importance of friendships like the one Ally develops with Keisha and Albert that encourage and support us in our work. Thank you for being a Mr. Daniels for your students AND a supportive #nerdybookclub friend!
I am SO looking forward to reading this book. Haven’t gotten back to my Barnes yet, Lynda, to see if it’s on that shelf! I may just have to order it 🙂 Beautiful post on this amazing (I have no doubt) book.
Beautifully written. If only everyone thought this way.