.I read aloud this story every year on the first or second day of school. Trisha is a little girl in fifth grade who can't read. Mr. Falker notices her problem, and spends time helping her to make sense of the letters and words.
This book touches the heart of the struggling reader, because you see, the surprise in the book is that Trisha is really Patricia Polacco. This is her story. The story of a dyslexic child who grows up to be an award winning, famous children's author. This story is about hope.
All of my students enjoy this story. My struggling readers relate to this story, but my dyslexic students hold onto this story like a lifeline. I remind them throughout the year that if Patricia could do it, they could do it. They love knowing that a writer of stories has the same problem they have. This is a deep, emotional connection to the text, the character, and the author. Dyslexic students share the struggles, the sense of inadequacy, and the hope with the author.
In the beginning of the story, Grandfather pours honey onto a book and makes a speech (that the whole family memorizes and recites) about what happens through the pages of a book. Do you want to make your student's gasp? Choose an old, falling apart book. Get ready! Pour honey onto the book and make the same speech that Grandfather makes before you read the story out loud. I recommend having something to catch the mess. After you read the story, put a little honey on a graham cracker and give one to each student. The entire class can chant the little speech before eating their graham cracker. This creates a memorable moment, something they can hang onto when they are feeling frustrated during reading.
More Books by Patricia Polacco
(This is not a complete list.)
When Lightning Comes in a Jar
Junkyard Wonders
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother (Aladdin Picture Books)
Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln
The Lemonade Club
Thunder Cake
The Butterfly
The Bee Tree
Chicken Sunday
Pink and Say
In Our Mothers' House
I Can Hear the Sun (Picture Puffins)
January's Sparrow
Rechenka's Eggs (Paperstar)
Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare
Babushka's Doll
For the Love of Autumn
Mr. Lincoln's Way
Christmas Tapestry
Emma Kate
Bun Bun Button
John Philip Duck
Meteor!
Welcome Comfort
Someone for Mr. Sussmann
The Trees of the Dancing Goats (Aladdin Picture Books)
Mrs. Katz and Tush (A Bantam little rooster book)
Just Plain Fancy (Dell Picture Yearling)
An Orange for Frankie
G is for Goat
Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair
Mrs Mack (Picture Puffins)
Ginger and Petunia
Appelemando's Dreams (Reading Rainbow Feature Selection)
Something About Hensley's
Some Birthday!
Oh, Look!
Mommies Say Shh!
Picnic at Mudsock Meadow
My Ol' Man (Picture Books)
Betty Doll
By Patricia Polacco: The Keeping Quilt
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