Flipping Forward Twisting Backward

Description: "Fifth-grader Claire can do a perfect triple handspring. She can do a giant pirouette on the uneven bars. What she can't do is reading. With a lot of effort, she hides her secret until an alert vice principle suggests she get evaluated for a learning disability. Now Claire has to convince her mother--who's afraid her daughter will be labeled 'stupid'--to let her get tested. And that turns out to be even harder than reading"--

Review Quotes: ★ "Fullerton (No More Plastic) authentically and compassionately portrays cued-white fifth grader Claire's experience with dyslexia in this easily digestible verse novel. . . . Printed in a typeface formatted for those with reading challenges, Fullerton's flowing verse adeptly captures what dyslexia is like for Claire alongside her frustration around convincing her mother that she's trying hard but needs assistance. This insightful story carries a strong message for teachers, caregivers, and children alike, and Mensinga's emotive illustrations provide depth throughout."--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"An authentic portrayal of children with learning disabilities. Readers will empathize with Claire as she struggles with feeling 'stupid' and will support her journey. The quick-moving plot comes with a satisfying ending, and the free-verse narrative provides plenty of helpful white space for reluctant readers."--School Library Journal

"Designed with accessibility in mind (the typeface is meant to be easily decoded), the text stresses that learning disabilities are in no way a bad thing. Fullerton offers readers a glimpse into what it's like to try to read with difficulties. . . . A positive representation of perseverance."--Kirkus Reviews

"An excellent choice for both beginning chapter book readers and reluctant readers."--School Library Connection

"Young readers will be cheering for Claire from beginning to end. Teachers and parents will have much to learn from her."--Helen Frost, acclaimed author of Hidden, Blue Daisy, and All He Knew

"Claire is such an easy character to root for as she shares her self-doubts so honestly and then faces them so courageously."--Claudia Mills, author of The Lost Language

"I loved this story of determination and grit! Claire doesn't back away from challenges in the gym, the classroom, or at home. Instead, she'll twist, turn, tumble, spring, and spin forwards and backwards until she finds her way through."--Christina Uss, author of The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle

"In this compact novel in verse, you'll root for Claire the whole way through and (spoiler alert): she sticks the landing."--Audrey Vernick, After the Worst Thing Happens, Water Balloon, and many other books for young readers