Fish in a Tree is about a girl named Ally who hides her inability to read, and some of the difficult, awkward, funny, and frustrating situations that creates. Then everything changes when she gets a new teacher and opens up to two potential friends. She learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of.

Why join me for this book?

1. It's a deeply compassionate and sometimes funny story that will resonate with those of us who struggle with reading, who don't always fit in or "get it" the way other kids do, or who often feel like the outsider.

2. Thoughtfully discussing books with others brings out more depth and meaning than a simple "I liked it" or "it was good."

3. We all need books with characters like us, as well as ones who are not like us. Characters like us help us feel less alone, and characters who are different help us understand other lives and experiences. The first time I read a book with a character who felt like me, who had the same hangups I did, who problem-solved in the same way, and got into the same difficulties, I finally felt normal. Because that character was autistic. And so was the author. And so am I.

Please read/listen to the book on your own before class. When we meet, I’ll ask an opening question about the book to start the discussion, and guide learners through a socratic seminar style discussion. 

I have done this extensively with teens, tweens, and young adults, and have had amazing experiences of seeing the world differently and relating to my discussion partners differently as we discuss a book and explore important topics together.

I hope you will join me.



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What will this class be like? 

There won't be any book reports, or quizzes, or character analysis, or writing summaries, or any of the types of assignments you're probably used to in school. We're going to discuss the book. But this isn't just talking about what you liked and didn't. 

This is a different kind of discussion called a socratic seminar. 

Socratic seminars are a way to thoughtfully explore a text and the ideas it brings up with other people so that everyone gets much more out of it than reading the book on your own. 


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Who is this class for?

Learners of ALL neurotypes are welcome, including neurotypicals!

What is neurodiversity? The term describes people who process information differently than what is typical. This includes autism spectrum, ADHD, Tourette, OCD, dyslexia, anxiety, and more.

This class is a welcoming place for diverse learning and communication styles. Students are welcome to participate with camera on or off, via chat or voice or listening quietly, to move or fidget or stimm or doodle, and to request accommodations as needed.

This group is a welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ teens, cis, trans, nonbinary, agender, and gender expansive teens welcome.


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Publisher's description of "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt:

"Fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts.” —Kirkus Reviews

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions.  She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.

The author of the beloved One for the Murphys gives 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. This paperback edition includes The Sketchbook of Impossible Things and discussion questions.

A New York Times Bestseller! 

* “Unforgettable and uplifting.”—School Library Connection, starred review

* "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." —School Library Journal, starred review