Amelia
asked:
I've noticed that most teens/tweens appear to not have enjoyed this book. I mean, I'm in sixth grade, so it sounds like the right age for me. But I'm so sick of the exaggeration of sixth graders. We're not as vicious as people see us. So books like these always offend me. Books that mock middle schoolers. I've noticed it's all teachers/adults enjoying the book. Would I like it?
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Lolo
Well everyone has different book prefrences. Just because other kids didn't like it doesn't mean you wouldn't like it. I am around your age and I really liked the book.
Jenny
Actually, one of the things I think is a fault of this book is that its set in Elementary school (the kids have only 1 teacher). I'm not sure how interested most kids honestly are in a kid who has a learning disability and the heartbreaking problems and embarrassment it causes her. Not because the kids are, themselves, heartless or selfish or horrible, but because kids in this age category seem to prefer books that have adventure, humor, romance, violence, or some grand, sweeping, fantasy. I'm an adult, and I liked it. Not sure I'd recommend it to a kid without knowing what other books he/she liked.
Donna Edrington
If you enjoy books about kids developing unlikely alliances, then you might enjoy it. If you enjoy books with teacher characters who try to support kids who act out and help them develop coping skills, then you might enjoy it. The mean girls in the book are obviously mean, as of right now--not finished with the book. Hoping that the mean girls redeem themselves by the end:)
The fourth and fifth graders at my school LOVE this book:)
The fourth and fifth graders at my school LOVE this book:)
Frances Sayer
Yes, you should read it. But it shouldn't offend you; some kids ARE mean bullies and I think it's okay for books to show them they're wrong. The only way you should be offended is if you're mean, which hopefully you're not. It's all teachers and adults enjoying the book because technically you're supposed to be 13 to have a Goodreads account. But don't worry, you'll like it!
Paige Turner
I loved the book. It had a raw representation of Dyslexia and how incompetence can feel. I suppose her belief that she is stupid does have some controversy. Many readers find it redundant when characters think they are stupid, but I think it is very true. We often believe what others tell us. This book was inspiring and beautiful and its worth it to give a try
Olivia
I'm currently in seventh grade. I first read this book in third grade and it was one of my favorites and has been since, I think you would love it.
Claire
I'm going to answer this question even though it's really old now:
My 5th grader really liked this book. I read it myself and enjoyed it and I thought she would like it, but she does like the 'child struggles and succeeds against all the odds' genre as I like to describe it (e.g. Wonder, Insignificant Events in the life of a cactus)
I don't think it represents 6th graders as mean or mocks them. The characters and situations are a little cliched and exaggerated in places. If you are a very critical reader then you might find stuff to pick apart. I don't agree that it's 7-8th grade reading material, more 5th-6th. My 5th grader is young for her year and not a particularly advanced reader. When I was 7th-8th grade, I wanted to read about older teenagers or even adult books (it was all about Forever by Judy Blume and Flowers in the Attic much to our parents disgust). So a book about elementary school kids would not have appealed. (I would probably have read it and pretended I didn't like it at that age!)
My 5th grader really liked this book. I read it myself and enjoyed it and I thought she would like it, but she does like the 'child struggles and succeeds against all the odds' genre as I like to describe it (e.g. Wonder, Insignificant Events in the life of a cactus)
I don't think it represents 6th graders as mean or mocks them. The characters and situations are a little cliched and exaggerated in places. If you are a very critical reader then you might find stuff to pick apart. I don't agree that it's 7-8th grade reading material, more 5th-6th. My 5th grader is young for her year and not a particularly advanced reader. When I was 7th-8th grade, I wanted to read about older teenagers or even adult books (it was all about Forever by Judy Blume and Flowers in the Attic much to our parents disgust). So a book about elementary school kids would not have appealed. (I would probably have read it and pretended I didn't like it at that age!)
Ally
I was in seventh grade when I read this and loved it. You should definetly read it!
M (Madz)
Anyone can read this book. I am finishing it up right now. Can a seventh grader read it? Yes. Can an adult read it? Yes. Can younger children with a high lexile read this? Yes. Anyone can read this amazing book, Fish In A Tree.
DoraTheDinosaur
I personally really like this book, it depends whether you’re into heart touching stories I guess. There isn’t really much action or plot and that could stir away some people.
Penelope
Yes, I think you will like it. I'm a year younger than you and really enjoyed the book.
Madalyn
You also have to keep in mind that the normal for you isn't the same for everyone. For a lot of people, sixth-graders might be vicious. For a lot of people, sixth-grades are just trying to navigate a new world. I don't think it's meant to "mock" middle schoolers, it's just exaggerated. The author might not know what middle school is like anymore as they haven't been to middle school for a bit. A lot of it is up to preference or how you see it. Try not to be offended by things like this, it's all fictional. It's not meant to cause any harm to you or anyone else, it's there for you to enjoy.
Carmen
Everyone has different tastes in books. My personal opinion is that it is a great book for middle school kids, especially 6th grade. I read it when I was in 6th-grade and this day it is my favorite book of all time. I really recommend it, and if your not sure read a summary of the book.
Emily
That is interesting and a good point. Thanks for sharing that. It's actually very heartening to know that this kind of behavior feels exaggerated to you. I'm an adult and an elementary school teacher, and to give you perspective, I don't think anyone intends to mock middle schoolers. They really were this mean when people my age were kids. That was real life. That is very refreshing to hear it is not real life for you!
thatgreenguy
I can say that I did not get that vibe from this book and really liked it (I'm a tween too).
Mom F
I believe the book is well written but seems to be more for grade 7-8. A bit long for grade 6 in my opinion.
Elaine
Did you like Because of Mr. Terrupt? If so, I think you would like Fish. There's a couple of mean girls as usual but other mature and interesting characters.
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