Flipping Forward Twisting Backward

By Alma Fullerton, Sarah Mensinga (Illustrator)

A young gymnast battles dyslexia and her mother's denial to pursue her dreams.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 397 ratings

144 pages

$16.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Claire, a talented gymnast, faces a hidden struggle with reading. As she aims for the state championships, a potential dyslexia diagnosis threatens to unravel her world. Her mother’s refusal to accept the truth adds to Claire’s challenges. Can she overcome her reading difficulties and her mother’s fears without sacrificing her dreams? This heartfelt story in verse captures Claire’s journey of self-discovery and determination, leaving readers rooting for her success.

From the publisher

A diagnosis of dyslexia could change everything for an aspiring fifth-grade gymnast struggling at school in this authentic, high-energy novel in verse. The print edition of this title is set in a font developed to be easy to read. The gym is where Claire shines and she’s on her way to qualifying for the state championships. But at school, she’s known as a troublemaker–which is fine with her since it helps her hide her reading problem. Claire has never been able to make sense of the wobbling jumble of letters on a page. When a sympathetic principal wonders if she’s acting out because she may have dyslexia, she’s stunned. Claire has always assumed she’s dumb, so she’s eager to get evaluated. But her mother balks. Afraid Claire will be labeled “stupid,” she refuses testing. Can Claire take on both her reading challenges and her mother’s denial? Is it worth jeopardizing her dream of the state championships? Told in clear and poignant verse and featuring black and white illustrations, Claire’s struggle with something that seems to come easily to everyone else will resonate with readers and have them cheering her on.

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