This is one of those picture books that does real emotional work. Polacco doesn't sugarcoat the pain of being the kid who can't read while everyone else flies through chapter books, or the cruelty of classmates who smell vulnerability. But she also shows the flip side: a teacher who refuses to give up, a family that provides unconditional love, and a girl who discovers her own strength.
It's particularly valuable for families navigating learning disabilities—seeing dyslexia represented by a now-successful author and illustrator is powerful validation. For neurotypical kids, it builds empathy and understanding that 'smart' looks different for everyone.
The bullying scenes require some emotional maturity, so this works best as a shared read with space for questions rather than just handing it to a struggling reader and hoping it helps. The message is ultimately hopeful and the 4.9 Amazon rating reflects how many families have found it genuinely meaningful. A solid, honest book about a tough subject.






