Any time I see this book, I pick it up and read it. It's such a sweet story. Trisha has a learning disability (exactly what kind is never fully explained) that makes it so she cannot read. As a result, she is bullied by other children and she hates school. That changes when her teacher, Mr. Falker, becomes aware of her situation. He comes to her defense and helps her get the assistance she needs. Plot twist: this is actually a story about Patricia Polacco herself! In a blurb at the very end, she describes an instance where she ran into her former teacher many years later. He asked her, "What do you do for a living?" "I write books for children!" she replied, which is something she could never have done if she had not learned to read. This is a powerful and emotional story about how one person can make such a huge impact on another's life, and by extension, the many others that they touch, too.

This wonderful book is a tribute to all teachers -- but especially those who notice and help students with learning disabilities. Thank you, Patricia Polacco, for opening this part of your past, and your heart, to your readers.

Very good book . Would reccommend it as it shows how an observant teacher can be so kind to help a student that was having difficulty reading and how he recognized the problem and got her the help she needed. No more embarrassment and ridicule from her peers ! A great story.

Patricia Polacco's story of how she was unable to read until a fifth grade teacher noticed and got her the help she needed. A learning disability is implied but never named...a good tactic, I think. As a former reading teacher this one made me a little teary. Reading is so important, and the kids who struggle face such embarrassment. This was a great book.

I love this boook!!! I would totally recommend it to ANYONE! it is well written!!! Please read it if you haven't already!!! You will absolutely love it!

I do recommend that parents and teachers allow their student to read this book. It was a very great book with a great lesson and moral to its story. This book teaches students to appreciate their teachers and rules that are set for them in life. This book also teaches students to push through no matter if they feel like they cannot do something. I think Mr. Falker is a great role model for teachers as well. He teaches or shows teachers how to encourage their students and keep them from giving up. He shows teachers how to motivate their students.