Thank You, Mr. Falker

Written & illustrated by Patricia Polacco

A young girl struggles to learn to read despite her love for books and learning.

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 17,697 ratings

40 pages· 2,318 words· Est. 18 min read-aloud

$15.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Young Trisha struggles with dyslexia, seeing only jumbled words on the page. Her artistic talent shines, but reading remains a mystery. Enter Mr. Falker, a teacher who sees her potential and refuses to let her fail. As he guides her through the challenges of her reading disability, Trisha discovers the power of perseverance and the impact of a dedicated mentor. Will she overcome her struggles and find her voice in the world of words? This heartfelt tale celebrates the transformative power of a teacher's belief in a student's potential.

From the publisher

The real-life, classic story of a dyslexic girl and the teacher who would not let her fail. A perfect gift for teachers and for reading students of any age.

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 her reading disability. Patricia Polacco will never forget him, and neither will we.

This inspiring story is available in a deluxe slipcased edition, complete with a personal letter to readers from Patricia Polacco herself. Thank You, Mr. Falker will make a beautiful gift for the special child who needs encouragement or any special teacher who has made a difference in the child’s life.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 40
Words: 2,318
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD650L

Themes & topics

Books about disabilities Books about bullying Books about self-esteem Books about self-esteem and self-reliance Books about social themes

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.8

out of 7

7.0

“I am a huge fan of Patricia Polacco, so it is easy for me to enjoy this book. Like so many of her stories, it is both sad and joyful. The illustrations portray powerfully the ugliness of bullying and the devastating effect it can have on the victim. Sadly, most children these days have at least witnessed bullying and this story provides an opportunity to talk about why some children get targeted, how devastating it can be, and what one might do to help. It also teaches empathy for children who may specifically be dyslexic or have some other difficulties learning. Enter Mr. Falker, the elegant and charismatic teacher who doesn't have favorites, encourages all his students, and comes to Trisha's rescue. This book deals with some really difficult issues in a beautiful and realistic way. I hope every child at some point has a teacher like Mr. Falker.”

Grammy

Trusted reviewer

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