Fish in a Tree

Chapter 1: In Trouble Again
 
It s always there. Like the ground underneath my feet.
Well, Ally? Are you going to write or aren t you? Mrs. Hall asks.
If my teacher were mean it would be easier.
C mon, she says. I know you can do it.
What if I told you that I was going to climb a tree using only my lips? Would you say I could do it then?
Oliver laughs, throwing himself on his desk like it s a fumbled football.
I see the world as mind movies in my head that are silly and exaggerated. But they are private and only for me. For Oliver everything is exaggerated on the outside so everyone sees.
Shay groans. Ally, why can t you just act normal for once?
Near her, Albert, a bulky kid who s worn the same thing every day a dark t-shirt that reads, Flint sits up straight. Like he s waiting for a firecracker to go off.
Mrs. Hall sighs. C mon, now. I m only asking for one page describing yourself.
I can t think of anything worse than having to describe myself. I d rather write about something more positive. Like throwing up at your own birthday party.
It s important, she says. It s so your new teacher can get to know you.
I know that, and it s exactly why I don t want to do it. Teachers are like the machines that take quarters for bouncy balls. You know what you re going to get. Yet, you don t know, too.
I fold my arms and close my eyes. Hoping that when I open them she ll be gone. But she s still there.
And, she says. All that doodling of yours, Ally. If you weren t drawing all the time, your work might be done. Please put it away.
Embarrassed, I slide my drawings underneath my blank writing assignment. I ve been drawing pictures of myself being shot out of a cannon. It would be easier than school. Less painful.
C mon, she says moving my lined paper toward me. Just do your best.
Seven schools in seven years and they re all the same. Whenever I do my best, they tell me I don t try hard enough. Too messy. Careless spelling. Annoyed that the

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

* Unforgettable and uplifting. . . . Deals with the hardships of middle school in a funny, yet realistic and thoughtful manner. Ally has a great voice, she is an unforgettable, plucky protagonist that the reader roots for from page one. This novel is a must-have. School Library Connection, starred review


* Filled with a delightful range of quirky characters and told with heart, the story also explores themes of family, friendship, and courage in its many forms. . . . It has something to offer for a wide-ranging audience. . . . Offering hope to those who struggle academically and demonstrating that a disability does not equal stupidity, this is as unique as its heroine. Booklist, starred review 

* Mullaly Hunt again paints a nuanced portrayal of a sensitive, smart girl struggling with circumstances beyond her control. . . . Ally s raw pain and depression are vividly rendered, while the diverse supporting cast feels fully developed. . . . Mr. Daniels is an inspirational educator whose warmth radiates off the page. Best of all, Mullaly Hunt eschews the unrealistic feel-good ending for one with hard work and small changes. Ally s journey is heartwarming but refreshingly devoid of schmaltz. School Library Journal, starred review 

[Hunt s] depiction of Ally s learning struggles is relatable, and Ally s growth and relationships feel organic and real. Publishers Weekly

Poignant. . . . Emphasis on thinking outside the box . . . Ally s new friendships are satisfying, as are the recognition of her dyslexia and her renewed determination to read. Fans of R.J. Palacio s Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts.
Kirkus Reviews
 
Reminiscent of Polacco s wonderful Thank You, Mr. Falker. . . . Ally s feeling of loneliness and desire to fit in will resonate with young teen readers, as many share those feelings without the difficulty of dyslexia. . . .