This set of books really connects back to the scholarly article that I reviewed. This is because all four books are included in the 75% that are about students with dyslexia and are all stories of triumph. This text set is very important because it allows readers to understand what it feels like to be dyslexic for some people. The books also define dyslexia for people to understand. It also allows people with dyslexia to feel that they are not alone in the world and they to can overcome the issue if they work hard and spend time trying to become better readers. It’s not an over night fix, every one struggles but it is possible.
I can not believe that such a group is so under represented. I feel that more and more students each year are being diagnosed with dyslexia or other learning disorders. Any reader of these books can learn a number of things. One thing that can be learned is acceptance, patience and responsibility to diverse learners. People who posses the listed qualities are able to help other who need help with learning disabilities and all other aspects of life. Another thing that can be learned is the feeling and emotions people with learning disabilities have on a day to day basis. Acceptance is key in our World and once we can learn to accept people for who they are we can learn from one another and become better people.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Text Set Conclusion
Scholarly Article: Learning Disabilities in Children’s and Adolescent literature: How are character Portrayed?
Prater, Mary Anne. "Learning Disabilites in Children's and adolescent Literature: How are Characters Portrayed." Learing Disability Quarterly 26(2003): 47-62.
This article is about a study held about books printed before 2001 that are considered to have learning disabilities content. Before 2001 only 90 books were found to thoroughly portray learning disabled characters. Out of these 90 books about 75% were stories of growth and also 75% were about students with specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia. The article also goes into detail about how they categorized the books and provides a list of the 90 books accepted for the study.
This article really shows that there are not enough books that portray learning disabled characters. This fact is very interesting because more and more children today are being diagnosed with learning disabilities. This article is very helpful for teachers to realize and classify good pieces of literature about learning disabled. The article is a good read for educators and parents/guardians alike. This is because people need to realize that groups are still being under represented in literature and someone needs to do something about this so that students do not feel discriminated against nor feel like an outcast in our growing melting pot of a society.
Book #4: The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia by Diane Burton Rob
“The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia” by Diane Burton Robb is a very informative and simplistically written story book, which makes it easy to read for all ages. The book puts the reader in the shoes of a person with dyslexia because of its very descriptive content, such as when Adam was being tested, “he felt like a bug under an microscope”. It really paints a picture for students as well as parents, adults and educators by providing enough information but not being too over baring. It also allows readers to understand and comprehend the difficulties that students with dyslexia face on a day to day basis. These difficulties include reading, being watched over, and easily forgetting words that were just learned. People with dyslexia are not lazy, dumb, or stupid; they are just unable to see the letters on the page the same way as you and I. This book shows that with a little help and the right diagnosis the battle with dyslexia can be won. The learning disability does not go away it can gradually be over came through lots of practice and motivation to learn.
Book #3: Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls or Does it?
Underachiever: Niagara Falls, or Does it?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 2003.
It’s a celebrity book……..and it’s GOOD!!!!!
This story is written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. It is the first book in the Hank Zipzer series, and is just over all a fun and exciting read. Hank strives to have a great start to his forth grade year but of course life is just not that simple. The first assignment Hanks nasty teacher assigns is a five, I repeat five, paragraph paper about what he had done over summer vacation. Hank has so many difficulties writing he can’t imagine writing one good paragraph let alone five. It’s not that he is lazy and does not try its that he just can’t seem to write down what he wants to when it comes time. Since this problem was driving Hank insane he decided to build his essay rather then write one. Bad idea, hank ended up getting detention and grounded for two weeks, and almost had to miss the magic show him and his friends had planned to put on.
The story is full of great humor such as a lizard that eats at the table with the family and a crazy dog named cheerio because he never stops chasing his tail. The humor adds something for all readers and makes the topic of learning disabled less prominent and less heavy. Any learning disabled student can understand how Hank feels about school and that nothing can ever go his way. The quick witted dialog and humor will also attract all sorts of readers, including the most reluctant.
Henry Winkler is considered an insider of this genre because he has been known to be the slacker student due to his undiagnosed dyslexia.
Book #2: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Philbrick, Rodman. Freak the Mighty.
This is a great story of triumph. Both main characters try to tackle their biggest issues by helping one another. Max overcomes his inability to read and write and is able to leave his special education courses to join in with Kevin’s classes. Kevin is carried around by Max who made him feel taller than the rest and gain self confidence. This book is a great, exciting and suspenseful read. It allows readers to realize that it is ok to be different and that people should not be judgmental of one another. It also shows readers that there is a will and a way to overcome everything in life. With the help of a great friend Max over came his reading disability.
Rodman Philbrick is considered an informed writer. The book is loosely based off of a boy who lived a few blocks away from Philbrick. He became inspired by this boy and decided to write the amazing novel that has become a hit around the world and turned into a movie.
Book #1 : Thank you, Mr Falker by Patricia Polacco
Polacco, Patricia. Thank you, Mr. Falker.
Patricia Polacco does a wonderful job describing the frustrations a learning disabled child can have. Tricia, the main character, is excited to attend school and learn how to read and write. Her family has always made learning sound fun. Before the first day of school her grandpa explained to her that knowledge is sweet, “but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it thought the pages of a book.” This excited Tricia and she is ready and willing to chase the knowledge. The problem is, the chase seemed like it was going to last forever, for as soon as Tricia tried to read the letters and numbers began to mix around and never stay where they began.
This story follows Tricia through her struggles of reading and portrays a lot of realistic feelings that a child with a learning disability would encounter. For example, Tricia is embarrassed because all of the other students begin to call her stupid and dumb because she can not read. Everyone has a way to escape their problems, as does Tricia in “Thank you, Mr. Falker”. Tricia’s means of escape is drawing. This is very relatable for all readers, because even if the reader does not have difficulties reading there is always something that they need to take their mind off of. The book gives hope, hope to strugglers and hope to society. There are always things to overcome, but the important thing is that the reader tries there best to overcome the issue. It took one amazing and patient teacher, Mr. Falker, to help her realize she is not dumb she just sees letters differently then the rest. This created hope in Tricia, hope that she had given up on so many years ago. The hope flows right off the pages into any of the readers. The book gives readers and listeners that have issues with reading, or know someone who has difficulties hope that one day they to will be able to read.
The story is autobiographical and touches the reader because it portrays a real struggle. Most of all it creates a sigh of relief because it allows readers to realize that they are not alone in this world. Over all this is another great story by Patricia Polacco that is powerful and touching.