Thursday, March 12, 2009

Thank Your Teachers!

picture from amazon.com
Thank You, Mr. Falker
by Patricia Polacco
published by Philamel Books, NY, 1998


Summary: At first Trisha loves school, but her difficulty learning to read makes her feel dumb, until in the fifth grade, a new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem.

Strengths: This book is based on a true story of the author's childhood. I like the realistic and beautiful illustrations in which you can really see the emotions in the characters' faces. Readers can relate to Trisha as she is made fun of by other students. Children also learn about learning disorders and the feelings students may have if they are left out.

Concerns: Older children and adults may understand the deeper meaning of this book better than younger children who may approach this book because of the beautiful illustrations. Younger children may not understand the use of italics and the connection between the author and the story. Some parents may be concerned with the issue of the grandparents passing away.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be good for children in grades three and up. This would be a good book to read aloud and to discuss bullying or acceptance.

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