Customer Reviews

Eli, the boy who hated to write: understanding dysgraphia

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4 star:		(1)
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I enjoyed the book, Eli: The Boy Who Hated to Write, and gained some important insights into the lives of those who struggle with learning difficulties. As I began to read this book I realized that it is a must-read for anyone working with children, whether it be in the role of teacher or parent. Once I had finished it, I recognized that this is a story everyone can enjoy and benefit from reading. On the surface, the book tells a story that is written for children who learn differently, especially the dysgraphic child, but there is so much more to gain from it. The plot follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of one such student, Eli, who experienced problems in school due to his difficulties with writing and spelling. Although he had many creative ideas, his dysgraphia interfered and his written stories were abbreviated versions of the wonderful stories he had in his head. To add to his problems, his teachers and fellow classmates didn't understand his learning differences and felt that he just didn't try hard enough-he was a messy writer or was stupid. With the help of his parents, Eli tried to explain his frustrations to his teachers and thus was able to help design a plan that gave him some options for times when he felt frustrated in school. Eli still felt that some fellow students didn't understand him and made fun of his difficulties. Through an adventure in finding his way out of a cave, Eli used his special gifts and at the same time saved the class bully from his fear of being lost. Eli, his mother, and a special imaginary friend, a gnome, helped teach his friends that we all learn differently and have special gifts or talents. This is a clever way of teaching positive self-talk. This book shares so much with the reader at so many levels. It exposes one to the hurt, frustrations, and feelings of poor self-worth that a child (or adult) has when he or she experiences learning differences. It teaches us to seek and find the talents that each person possesses and to praise each other and ourselves for those strengths. It demonstrates how we as teachers and parents need to help children feel important and provide opportunities for each child to succeed. We also need to give each child their own special "gnome" (positive self-talk) so they recognize their gifts and draw upon them whenever necessary. These same lessons can be applied to adults-we all need to recognize the talents we possess. The book concludes with some great stories written by Eli, which demonstrate his sensitivity toward others and their differences, as well as his creative skills. The end of the book also includes practical recommendations for parents and teachers to help students who have difficulty with written language tasks. Every teacher (special education as well as regular education) should read this book. Every parent of a child who struggles with writing or another aspect of academics should read this book. Most important, every student who struggles with learning should have this book read to him or her. I enjoyed Eli: The Boy Who Hated to Write and gained important insights into the lives of those who struggle with learning difficulties.

Regina Richards' astute understanding of dysgraphia is displayed in the milestones she and her son share from his school years. As I read it, I mentally noted similarities with my dysgraphic son. After my son read it, he proudly pointed out the same things: directional memory and love of animals and fish. Knowing another has successfully gone through school with dysgraphia has encouraged our family.

Kids, Eli knows how it feels to try and try to write and never make it. Do you ever feel like that? Read this book together with your mom and dad or give a copy to your teacher so they will understand you better, too.

Regina Richards is a creative and compassionate educator who shares her expertise as well as her heart. She writes this book with her son, Eli, who knows first hand what struggling with writing is all about. The gift of their compassion, practical hints and insights is wrapped up in this brief book. It's an excellent book to spark healing discussion with your child! Give a copy to a teacher!

"Eli: The Boy Who Hated to Write" is an important book for any concerned parent dealing with a child who is having difficulty reading or writing. The book has two sections, one by Eli and one by his mother, Regina. The part by Eli Richards is a delightful and poignant account of how a young child tries to cope with school when it is frustrating to him. The part by Regina Richards, who is an educational therapist, offers strategies to parents and teachers to use when assisting a child with learning problems.

Eli's stories of his struggles with learning to read and write are realistic and touching. The reader can immediately identify with a scared little boy who doesn't know how to handle his problems. His coping mechanisms are at once innocent and clever. It is obvious that his problems with schoolwork are not related to intelligence. The epilogue takes him into college and "author information" shows that he is now a successful professional.

Regina's section of the book offers helpful suggestions that will encourage and inspire every parent who has had a child with a learning disability like dyslexia or dysgraphia. As parents, we often feel inadequate in making suggestions to our child's teacher since they are the educational expert. However, the strategies offered in this book will empower parents to not only help their child at home, but also to fight for their child's best interests at school.

This book is a good mix of child-oriented experiences along with helpful ideas for parents and teachers to deal with the child.

This book is great for teachers as well as parents to help them understand how a boy with a disability thinks and feels. A must read for teachers who have students with dysgraphia.

Is writing just too hard no matter how hard you try? This is a good book to read together with mom and dad. Give a copy to your teacher! Eli knows how you feel!

Parents, this book has great content to spark helpful discussion between you and your child who struggles with writing. Not only does it provide a tool for understanding the emotions behind the struggle but it provides helpful insight into the reasons for this struggle. Regina Richards has had a long and respected career as a "cutting edge" educator of children with special needs. Her knowledge on a "heart level" in helping her son, Eli, to face the challenges of dysgraphia together with her professional explanations and suggestions makes this book a must!

This is a well-written and compassionate story which provides good insight to the world of a struggling writer. I recommend to anyone who works with, or lives with, a child who has difficulty writing.

As the mother of a 15 year old dysgraphic son, I bought this book with high hopes based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews. Dysgraphia is very difficult to explain to others (especially teachers) and the book acknowledges this fact. The back cover also says that it "tells stories of a young boy struggling daily with written expression, and follows his school career from Kindergarten through College." It got off to a positive start with an introduction from Rick Lavoie. I expected to kind of skim through the first chapters (Kindergarten, elementary school) because my son is a Freshman in HS, but I was completely surprised to find out that the story is pretty much only about elementary school. There is nothing about middle school or high school and then all of a sudden Eli is in his 3rd year of college - and that is the Epilogue which just talks about Eli having to write an allegory for English class. Done. Huh? When did the school career get followed from K though College? I am starving for a book that can actually provide insight and experiences on the middle and high school level, but this has zero. Then I thought, well, at least in the Commentary there should be some good general information on dysgraphia that I can share with the teachers. No - not really. This would have done for a quick look through at the library, but it was a waste of the $30 bucks I paid for it.

This was the best book I've read in a long time! OH! And...Eli's hot. >:)

I was looking for a book to help my son who has recently been diagnosed with dysgraphia. I paid 39.99 + shipping and could not in good conscious share this book with my son. Eli's writing example starts with "I hate my life" - this is not the example I want to share with my son. A very negative and insensitive image is portrayed about the teacher in this book as well. In no way could we relate to the experiences that Eli had at his school. Then a magical gnome saves the day, imaginary friends are great but this was a bit creepy. I am keeping this book to share with my son's school about WHAT NOT to get for help in dysgraphia.