Review: THANK YOU, MR. FALKER by Patricia Polacco

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Polacco, Patricia. 1998. Thank You, Mr. Falker. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399231668.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Patricia Polacco uses this story to pay tribute to her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Felker, who finally identified her dyslexia and helped her learn to read. The little girl in the book goes through many trying times as she experiences the death of her beloved grandparents and moving across the country, but nothing compares to the daily torture of not only failing at reading but also being ridiculed by her classmates.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Any child who has ever had to overcome difficulties at school will relate to Trisha’s feelings as she tries her best but cannot seem to master the skill of reading. Polacco brings attention to the very personal and lonely battle many children with dyslexia face. Throughout the years, none of her teachers were able to diagnose her disability which makes sense because the story is set in the early 1950s. One thing that is universal is the ridicule Trisha faces from the students in her class both in Michigan and in her new home in California. Fortunately for Trisha, Mr. Falker is able to change her life and open new doors for her through books.

The illustrations are drawn in true Patricia Polacco style. There is attention to detail in the faces of the characters which help the reader make a personal connection. We can share in her pain but also in the pride she feels as she triumphs over her disability.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY review: “Young readers struggling with learning difficulties will identify with Trisha's situation and find reassurance in her success. Polacco's gouache-and-pencil compositions deftly capture the emotional stages frustration, pain, elation of Trisha's journey.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Without belaboring the point, the author clearly shows the ways that children internalize critical comments made by others and suffer for their differences. This touching story is accompanied by illustrations in Polacco's signature style. Youngsters, as well as adults, may find themselves choked up at the emotions so eloquently described in words and pictures.”

5. CONNECTIONS
As a daily journal entry, students should reflect on a time when they had to overcome a difficult situation including the feelings they experienced not only during the struggle but also how it felt to finally experience success.

For more information about the life of Patricia Polacco, visit her website at: http://www.patriciapolacco.com/ which is filled with pages of information about her life, her books, and other fun stuff.