First published 2015
Hank Zipzer faces another school challenge that seems impossible to overcome. The fourth grader's dyslexia makes reading and writing feel like climbing a mountain, but his creative mind never stops working. When a new assignment threatens to expose his struggles to the entire class, Hank must find a way to show what he knows without relying on traditional methods. His best friends Frankie and Ashley stand by him, while his well-meaning parents and teachers try to help in their own ways. Hank discovers that being different doesn't mean being less capable, and that his unique perspective might be exactly what the situation needs. The story captures the daily reality of students who learn differently, showing both the frustrations and the unexpected advantages that come with thinking outside the box.
Genres: fiction, family-life, school-stories, contemporary, disability
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
416 pages · Hardcover · Clarion Books