During a vocabulary lesson, Mr. Daniels asks a volunteer to describe the difference between "alone" and "lonely." Ally raises her hand and though her answer is brilliant, she still feels like she did something wrong. Later, Mr. Daniels asks the class to write about fictional heroes. Ally makes up a hero Roy G. Biv, who symbolizes the color spectrum. Though she writes her paper, Mr. Daniels asks her to tell him about Roy G. Biv rather than just writing about him. He praises her for being an out-of-the-box thinker. After Ally presents her hero to the class, she overhears Shay and Jessica talking about friendship bracelets and learns that Shay is actually selling them. A fish with a harsh life and epic journey. They’ve long been a favoured seafood, but over-fishing and pollution have seriously impacted populations. As the book goes on... we see Ally develop more confidence, make more friends, read better, and develop deeper understanding & empathy for those who were mean to her. Alice and how she argued with Humpty Dumpty about using the right words. I turn to Keisha and blurt out, “Do you like eggs?” “Eggs?” she asks. Oh no. She thinks I’m a barrel full of crazy, but I keep going because sometimes my tongue goes on without my say-so. “Yeah. I love eggs. Scrambled eggs. Fried eggs. Poached on toast, and boiled eggs. I love peeling the shell off of a boiled egg, don’t you? I even like egg salad, which my brother won’t eat even if someone holds him down . . .” Her eyebrows scrunch up, reminding me of angry caterpillars. “That’s incredibly interesting.” Then she searches inside her desk for something. I know this move. It’s a polite way of ignoring me. People do it a lot. Finally, I just put my head down. Grandpa used to say that Alice in Wonderland falling down the rabbit hole was just like real life. I didn’t used to understand what he meant, but I do now. ••• There can’t be any place on the planet scarier than a school cafeteria. I hold my tray so tight, my fingers hurt. I hear, “Hey, Ally!” It’s Shay. She is standing with Jessica and a few others. “Yeah?” I ask. “Do you want to sit with us for lunch?” Of course I don’t want to sit with them. But I am getting tired of sitting alone. And having everyone else see me sit alone. Besides that, Shay, Jessica, and some other girls all have these woven friendship bracelets. And I have never had the kinds of friends who have matching bracelets, but I have always wanted them. It’s like the bracelet tells the world that the person wearing it has someone who cares about them. Not like a family member that has to care, but someone who just likes you. I want to feel a part of something. Anything, I guess. Shay is overly happy that I’ve said yes. I sit down after glancing at the seat to make sure I won’t be sitting in a pool of glue. Shay motions to me to sit next to her. She and Jessica smile For teachers . . . who see the child before the student, who remind us that we all have special gifts to offer the world, who foster the importance of standing out rather than fitting in. And for kids . . . who find their grit to conquer life’s challenges— no matter what those challenges may be. You are heroes. This book is for you.

For those of you out there reading this book who think that it's unrealistic that a kid could make it to 6th grade without being diagnosed, you are wrong. It is only though having attentive and dedicated parents/caregivers who insist on answers, a very observant teacher, and/or a school district with the means to help students do children finally get diagnosed and taught in a way that allows them to actually learn. Hunt’s] depiction of Ally’s learning struggles is relatable, and Ally’s growth and relationships feel organic and real.” — Publishers Weekly Her child’s voice was wonderful - real - authentic - not pretentious -- with no ‘adult-feed’ language. Hey,” I say, trying to get the thoughts floating around in my head to land on the paper. I don’t know why the things in my brain get lost on the way down my arm.But, instead, knowing she loves clean desks and things just so, I grip my pencil with a hard fist. And scribble all over my desk. We're all aware that one of the ways that human life on Earth could end, conceivably, is the same way that the dinosaurs went down. Jessica is Shay's best friend and, as Ally sees it, her shadow. She describes Jessica as having few personality traits or interests of her own, as her main goal seems to be following Shay and…

The author of the beloved One for the Murphysgives readers an emotionally-charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who’s ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn’t fit in. explain it. And besides, she’ll think I’meven dumber than I am. If that’s possible. “Then why would you do such a thing?” I stand tall, but everything inside shrinks. The thing is, I feel real bad. I mean, I felt terrible when the neighbor’s dog died, never mind if a baby had died. I just didn’t know it was a sad card like that. All I could see were beautiful yellow flowers. And all I could imagine was how happy I was going to make her. But there are piles of reasons I can’t tell the absolute truth. Not to her. Not to anyone. No matter how many times I have prayed and worked and hoped, reading for me is still like trying to make sense of a can of alphabet soup that’s been dumped on a plate. I just don’t know how other people do it. I fold my arms and close my eyes. Hoping that when I open them she’ll be gone. But she’s still there. She is a talented artist, as her brother is a talented mechanic...as long as they don't have to read the directions.I steel up inside, willing myself to do something I don’t really want to do. To escape this teacher who’s holding on and won’t let go. I hope every reader takes the time to read this book. . . .it may be aimed at juveniles (don’t like that label!) but I know more grown-ups than kids that could do with this author’s fantastic message: we all learn (read / think / behave) differently. We need to investigate and accommodate all modes of learning to enable success.

I just want you to know that I’m going to try really hard not to send you to the office. If we have something to deal with, you and I will deal with it together.” He winks. “What happens in room 206 stays in room 206.” What? “So, we won’t involve Mrs. Silver anymore, okay? I think she has enough to do around here.” Oh no. Did he just take away my “Get Out of Jail Free” card? “Also,” he says, moving his head to look me in the eye, “I’m on your side, okay? I want to help you.” So he wants to help me, huh? He has no idea what he’s in for. Cynthia Lord’s Rules is a classic prize-winner book. It is about a young girl named Catherine, she has a brother named David, who is autistic, and she doesn’t hate her life by any means. But her life is hard for her in some ways. She wants a regular part of her life where a friend comes in next door. She wants to not think about having to do with these rules and explain these rules constantly to somebody. That’s what the whole book is about. Shay is the class bully. She's wealthy and is always surrounded by Jessica and a number of other girls whom Ally just refers to as Shay's followers. All of these girls wear friendship bracelets…

Synopsis

CHAPTER 31 Lots of Ways Home “So, did your mom tell you that we talked?” Mr. Daniels asks. “Yeah.” I take a long breath, noticing that I can feel my own heart beating. “I have to talk to you about something.” This doesn’t sound good. “I need your help.” “You need my help?” “Yes, I do. You know how Miss Kessler gave you those tests?” “Yeah.” “Well, it appears you do have dyslexia, which, like I said, makes learning to read difficult, but doesn’t mean you’re not bright. In fact,” he says, half smiling like Travis, “you’re very bright, Ally. The tests show that, too.” I shift in my seat. “But you will need some help with learning to read better, and we’re going to get it for you. Thing is, it might take a little time. Sometimes the paperwork and meetings around that take a while.” “Okay . . .” “You know how I said we can’t play chess on Tuesday or Thursday? Well, that’s because I’mtaking classes to get a degree in special education. Basically, it’s a degree to help me help kids like you. Kids who are smart but have learning differences.” Smart? Learning differences? “So I spoke with Mrs. Silver and Miss Kessler.” He leans forward. “And your mom, of course. And we were thinking that I could help you after school a couple times a week. Until we can get you into formal services here at school.” I open my mouth, but he holds up his hands. “I know. Staying after school with me will be torture. But it would really help me out with the projects I have going on for my degree.

I don’t get it. She always let me slide. It must be because these are for the new teacher and she can’t have one missing.Wonder follows a ten-year-old boy named August Pullman, born with a rare genetic condition that caused a major facial deformity. He’s had many surgeries over the years to try and correct what was wrong, but he’s still left not looking like a normal little boy. Because of these different surgeries, he hasn’t been able to attend regular school. He’s been homeschooled by his mom, and one day his mom tries to convince him to go to a regular middle school. I listened to this Audiobook today while doing those mundane things that needed my attention: cleaning, laundry, yard work, and a little pool soaking. Mrs. Hall's baby shower is a few days later. Ally gives her teacher a card with yellow roses on it, but Mrs. Hall doesn't look happy. Shay, the class bully, reads the card and tells Ally she's dumb. Ally is confused until the principal, Mrs. Silver, asks her why she'd give a sympathy card at a baby shower. In the office, Mrs. Silver asks Ally to read a poster on the wall. There are two hands reaching towards each other and Ally pretends she can read it. That afternoon, as Ally tries to do homework at the restaurant where Mom works, Shay and her friend Jessica stop and tease Ally about being dumb. Ally draws in her Sketchbook of Impossible Things, where she records things that will never happen in real life. So glad this was recorded, I was due to be at the Wolverhampton gig. Brilliant gig, thank you so much for this, all of this over the years. Maybe one more time in person, someday, somewhere... 2020-12-05T10:40:23Z Comment by Bill Saunders