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Thank You, Mr. Falker
Little Trisha is overjoyed at the thought of starting school and learning how to read. But when she looks at a book, all the letters and numbers just get jumbled up. Her classmates make matters worse by calling her dummy. Only Mr. Falker, a stylish, fun-loving new teacher, recognizes Trisha's incredible artistic ability--and her problem, and takes the time to lead her fina...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
May 4th 1998
by Philomel
(first published January 1st 1998)
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Lovely true story about a girl who struggles to learn to read and the teacher who finally helps her. My youngest sister didn't learn to read until she was ten, and I thank the good Lord every time I read something like this that she wasn't in school. As a home schooler, I think it was just kind of disappointing for her that she didn't learn when her older sisters had, but had she been in school, I think she would have had a miserable time. And since she's now a very intelligent adult who gets be...more
This book is so beautiful I don't feel the slightest bit silly sitting here with tears running down my face at the public library.
Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco is at again! Thank you, Mr. Falker tells the journey Polacco traveled through her early years in school while she struggled to learn to read. This family engages the reader’s heart through the significance of family, the struggle to feel secure, and influences of peers and teachers. Mr. Falker was a teacher who was aware of his students not only academically but socially as well. I am sad to say that too often teachers refuse to look at b...more
Patricia Polacco is at again! Thank you, Mr. Falker tells the journey Polacco traveled through her early years in school while she struggled to learn to read. This family engages the reader’s heart through the significance of family, the struggle to feel secure, and influences of peers and teachers. Mr. Falker was a teacher who was aware of his students not only academically but socially as well. I am sad to say that too often teachers refuse to look at b...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Apr 09, 2013
Juso
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
inspiration,
understanding-love
"Thank You, Mr. Faulker" is a warm and comforting book about a little girl named Trisha and her battle with dyslexia. When Trisha had to read in class, all she could see we're little squiggly lines. She would get laughed at when she would read in class. Even after leaving her school to go to another one, her bullying got even worse. One day, Trisha's classmates were making fun of her, when Mr. Faulker, her teacher yelled at the classmates to stop making fun of her. However, one of the classmates...more
Summary/Annotation: This is a wonderfully illustrated picture book by Patricia Polacco. This story is about a girl named Trisha who has a reading disability. She was very talented when it came to drawing. Although not being able to read made her feel dumb and different. She finally got a new teacher named Mr. Falker who was nice, supportive and encouraging. He helped her with her dyslexia by spending extra time with her.
Response: This book is absolutely wonderful. I felt so sorry for Trisha beca...more
Response: This book is absolutely wonderful. I felt so sorry for Trisha beca...more
Feb 01, 2013
Vernon Area Public Library
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books
This is one of my favorites and I always cry when I read it, it is that good. Trisha is a young girl who grew up loving books, but was not able to read. The kids in school teased her and were mean. And in her words, she felt dumb. In fifth grade though, a new teacher named Mr. Falker changed all that. He and Miss Plessy, the reading teacher, worked with Trisha and she learned to read. "She could feel tears roll down her checks, but they weren't tears of sadness...she was happy, so very happy."
I...more
I...more
I read this book for my extra book under the Goodreads recommendations.
Thank You Mr. Falker is about a little girl who is craving to learn to read, just like the rest of her family who are quite knowledgeable. She is very enthusiastic in Kindergarten, but as time goes on, she becomes more and more reluctant to try reading because of her poor reading skills. She deals with issues of bullying on her journey to reading as well. Tricia finally gets to 5th grade, and her teacher, Mr. Falker, is a qu...more
Thank You Mr. Falker is about a little girl who is craving to learn to read, just like the rest of her family who are quite knowledgeable. She is very enthusiastic in Kindergarten, but as time goes on, she becomes more and more reluctant to try reading because of her poor reading skills. She deals with issues of bullying on her journey to reading as well. Tricia finally gets to 5th grade, and her teacher, Mr. Falker, is a qu...more
Based on the author/illustrator's own experiences as a child, this picture book is a loving tribute to the patience of teachers who try to meet the needs of all their students. The main character loved books and words as a child, and she can't wait to read them for herself, something heralded when her grandmother spoons out honey on the top of a book and describes the sweetness of knowledge. But the sweetness of reading eludes Tricia as the letters seem to jumble up together. When her classmates...more
I absolutely loved this book. The story is of a girl, Trisha, who goes to various schools and finds it extremely difficult to read. She comments that the words often "wiggle" and jumble all together. Basically, though it is never stated, Trisha is very dyslexic. As time goes on, Trisha is constantly harassed by her peers and bullied by a particular boy who cannot seem to have any sympathy towards her inability to read, calling her dumb, picking on her throughout class, and harassing her at reces...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Nov 16, 2011
Christy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
character-driven,
picture-book
Patricia Polacco is now one of America's most loved children's book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Trisha could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha's dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome...morePatricia Polacco is now one of America's most loved children's book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little g...more
1. Contemporary Realism- Picture Book
2. Trisha is a little girl that is about to begin school. Knowledge is a very special privilege in her family, and she can’t wait to start school and learn to read. Trisha makes it up to fourth grade, but she is still unable to read. Mr. Faulkner, her kind teacher, realizes that Trisha is dyslexic. He takes the time to help her, and then one day all the words come together on the page, and Trisha can read.
3. a- The illustrations in the book are beautiful. Th...more
2. Trisha is a little girl that is about to begin school. Knowledge is a very special privilege in her family, and she can’t wait to start school and learn to read. Trisha makes it up to fourth grade, but she is still unable to read. Mr. Faulkner, her kind teacher, realizes that Trisha is dyslexic. He takes the time to help her, and then one day all the words come together on the page, and Trisha can read.
3. a- The illustrations in the book are beautiful. Th...more
Today is Patricia Polacco's birthday (June 11). In honor of her special day, I've decided to review one of my favorite pictures books: Thank You, Mr. Falker.
I read aloud this story every year on the first or second day of school. Trisha is a little girl in fifth grade who can't read. Mr. Falker notices her problem, and spends time helping her to make sense of the letters and words.
This book touches the heart of the struggling reader, because you see, the surprise in the book is that Trisha is r...more
I read aloud this story every year on the first or second day of school. Trisha is a little girl in fifth grade who can't read. Mr. Falker notices her problem, and spends time helping her to make sense of the letters and words.
This book touches the heart of the struggling reader, because you see, the surprise in the book is that Trisha is r...more
This is a story of a 5th grade girl who struggles with reading. Like many of Patricia Polacco's books, Thank you Mr. Falker, is autobiographical. Although hard to imagine, Polacco struggled with learning to read until the 5th grade when her teacher, Mr. Felker, took an interest in her.
Polacco's story is narrated by Trisha. Trisha has always struggled with reading and is often teased by the other children. Trisha spends her time drawing pictures to keep her mind off of her disability. As she get...more
Polacco's story is narrated by Trisha. Trisha has always struggled with reading and is often teased by the other children. Trisha spends her time drawing pictures to keep her mind off of her disability. As she get...more
I found this book on storyonline.net and listened to the audio-visual version of the book. I found this to be great format for both listening to as well as seeing the story. The woman who read the story aloud used good expression and had effective eye contact with the listener. Her voice nicely conveyed the characters' voices and emotions.
This story is about a young girl who struggles in school with learning to read. After losing both of her grandparents, the girl's mother gets a new job and th...more
This story is about a young girl who struggles in school with learning to read. After losing both of her grandparents, the girl's mother gets a new job and th...more
This book instantly captures the audience as it is sensitively written. The story of a young girl who struggles to make sense of the letters on the page. As her classmates mock and tease her it becomes an emotional strain weighing on her confidence and self efficacy. Elements of teasing and bullying are present in the story and may open the topic of discussion of how to build a supportive class. She ponders why is it that she is the only one that can't read in a family who values education so mu...more
Boy, am I on the roll with reading various by none other than Patricia Polacco herself! This time, Patricia Polacco writes an autobiographical book called “Thank you, Mr. Falker” where it details the life of a young girl named Trisha who struggles with learning how to read and how an inspirational teacher named Mr. Falker tries to help her read. “Thank you, Mr. Falker” is certainly one of the most memorable children’s books to be created for children who also have trouble learning how to read.
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5 likes · like · see review
Nov 20, 2009
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all teachers; every child who’s ever had a challenge learning anything; everybody
I sobbed all the way through this book. Literally.
I hope that every teacher and tutor and parent reads this book. Oh, if/when I do any more tutoring I’ll definitely use this book. I wish I’d known about it before now. I had no difficulty learning to read, although I did not learn until I was taught; I wasn’t a reading prodigy, but I’ve known many kids who have had various challenges learning to read.
This is Patricia Polacco’s story about herself as a young girl and how it was (finally in fifth...more
I hope that every teacher and tutor and parent reads this book. Oh, if/when I do any more tutoring I’ll definitely use this book. I wish I’d known about it before now. I had no difficulty learning to read, although I did not learn until I was taught; I wasn’t a reading prodigy, but I’ve known many kids who have had various challenges learning to read.
This is Patricia Polacco’s story about herself as a young girl and how it was (finally in fifth...more
8 likes · like · see review
Thank you, Mr. Falker is about a young girl and her struggle with having a learning disability and the experiences she faces. Tricia, a struggling student, has always had a difficult time reading. This caused her years of being teased by her classmates as well as much sadness. Once Tricia is in fifth grad her family moves to California, where her life changes when she meets her amazing teacher, Mr. Falker. This teacher is determined to help Tricia succeed in reading and boost her self-esteem. Th...more
1 like · like · see review
This was an amazing story and earns a rare 5 star rating from me. It is a true story and depicts the alienation, fear, bullying and shame that children with learning disorders experience. Poor Trisha lived through a torturous five years of Elementary school before finding a teacher who knew how to help her overcome her disabilities and "unlocked the door and pulled [her] into the light."
I've read a few of her stories and really liked them, but this one was amazing! And the fact that it was auto...more
I've read a few of her stories and really liked them, but this one was amazing! And the fact that it was auto...more
I was first introduced to this book in a workshop a long time ago. Given the copyright of 1998, I imagine it was a new book when this occurred. It was perhaps during the National Faculty time. If so, that would have been when I was also introduced to Sharon Creech. It seems to me they were around the same time.
Over the years I have read this numerous times. I seem to like it more and more each time I read it.
It's a wonderful tale of a little girl who struggled to read as a girl. In addition, she...more
Over the years I have read this numerous times. I seem to like it more and more each time I read it.
It's a wonderful tale of a little girl who struggled to read as a girl. In addition, she...more
Feb 22, 2011
Alexa Maring
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-book,
inspirational
Wow... "Thank You, Mr. Falker" falls past the five stars. Go out and buy this book! The encouraging, kindhearted, and inspiring man will draw tears from your eyes by the time you finish reading. Mr. Falker encourages teachers realize their power to help and inspire a child, but also to see that sometimes it takes more than surface knowledge of our students to use that power. Students can find a relationship with the young girl who feels alone and frustrated in school. The illustrations in this b...more
Mar 28, 2011
Shannon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary-realistic-fiction
Little Trisha is overjoyed at the thought of starting school and learning how to read. But right from the start, when she tries to read, all the letters and numbers just get jumbled up. Her classmates make matters worse by calling her "dummy" and "toad." Then in fifth grade, a new teacher comes. He sees right through the sad little girl to the artist she really is. And when he discovers Trisha's secret -- that she still can't read -- he sets out to help her prove to herself that she can. And wil...more
Nov 13, 2010
Simone
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
realistic-fiction,
picture-books
Author: Patricia Polacco
Publisher and Date: Philomel Books, 1998
Summary: Trisha loves stories but when she gets to first grade she realizes reading isn’t so easy. She gets teased for not being a good reader. In fifth grade, Mr. Falker comes along and gives Trisha attention, which only makes Eric treat her worse than before. With help from Mr. Falker after school, Trisha finally learns how to read.
Review: This is one of my favorite stories! It reminds me of why I wanted to become a teacher. More...more
Publisher and Date: Philomel Books, 1998
Summary: Trisha loves stories but when she gets to first grade she realizes reading isn’t so easy. She gets teased for not being a good reader. In fifth grade, Mr. Falker comes along and gives Trisha attention, which only makes Eric treat her worse than before. With help from Mr. Falker after school, Trisha finally learns how to read.
Review: This is one of my favorite stories! It reminds me of why I wanted to become a teacher. More...more
What?: Trisha cannot read like her peers and she escapes her teachers until the fifth grade when a new teacher arrives on campus, Mr. Falker. During the years leading up to fifth grade she felt dumb and was bullied by the other students. Mr. Falker and Miss Plessy help her learn how to read and this changes her life forever. This book touches on three major fronts: dyslexia, bullying, and teacher who are in the profession for the right reason—to change lives.
So What?: Students will learn that th...more
So What?: Students will learn that th...more
Feb 26, 2009
Corby Lancaster
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
jordan,
lled-402-catalog
Genre- Picture Book
Reading level- K-3
Topic and Themes- A little girl struggles with reading and gets help from a special teacher. Going the extra mile
Curricula Use- Read Aloud
Social- A little girl feels dumb because she is not able to read.
Literary Elements- This book is based on a true story
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together wonderfully to tell such an amazing story.
Summary-"Thank You, Mr Falker" by Patricia Polacco. This is an excellent autobiography that tells the story of P...more
Reading level- K-3
Topic and Themes- A little girl struggles with reading and gets help from a special teacher. Going the extra mile
Curricula Use- Read Aloud
Social- A little girl feels dumb because she is not able to read.
Literary Elements- This book is based on a true story
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together wonderfully to tell such an amazing story.
Summary-"Thank You, Mr Falker" by Patricia Polacco. This is an excellent autobiography that tells the story of P...more
When my daughter was 8 years old and we were homeschooling, we did a whole unit study of Patricia Polacco and her books. Up until that time, I wasn't familiar with them. But, I LOVED THEM!!! Many (most? all?) of them are based on the author's childhood and I CRIED with almost every book.
This one, "Thank You, Mr. Falker", was probably my favorite. It is another true story from Polacco's childhood. In this story, she tells about how much trouble she had learning to read and how stupid she felt at...more
This one, "Thank You, Mr. Falker", was probably my favorite. It is another true story from Polacco's childhood. In this story, she tells about how much trouble she had learning to read and how stupid she felt at...more
How could anyone not love this little book!
Some time ago I added it to my Amazon wish list and finally bought it last week to fill out an order to achieve the threshold for free shipping. The idea was to read it to my kindergartner at bedtime. I wasn't sure it would be his cup of tea, since usually we read silly things like "Frog and Toad."
But when I began reading it, I noticed an unusual degree of interest on his part. The kid was sitting up in bed to see it better. Apparently he identified wit...more
Some time ago I added it to my Amazon wish list and finally bought it last week to fill out an order to achieve the threshold for free shipping. The idea was to read it to my kindergartner at bedtime. I wasn't sure it would be his cup of tea, since usually we read silly things like "Frog and Toad."
But when I began reading it, I noticed an unusual degree of interest on his part. The kid was sitting up in bed to see it better. Apparently he identified wit...more
Thank you, Mr. Falker is based on the author’s actual life. Trisha is a struggling reader who faces being made fun of at school. There is one boy named Eric that makes fun of Trisha more than anybody else. Polacco writes, “Trisha was afraid to turn any corner, for fear Eric would be there. She felt completely alone.” Then, Trisha’s teacher helps her. It is amazing to think that someone who could not read and write almost at all in third- grade became a famous writer.
In my classroom, I would us...more
In my classroom, I would us...more
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“You’d have to go through at least four different hugs to get from the kitchen to the front room. Those relatives!’.”
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Sep 30, 2011 02:33pm