The Worst Speller in Jr. High [Paperback]

Caroline Janover (Author), Rosemary Wallner (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Starting out in the seventh grade, Katie Kelso finds herself trying to cope with her dyslexia and form a friendship with a very bright boy at school, while she and her family deal with her mother's cancer diagnosis.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Katie Kelso longs to be a P.K. ("popular kid"), and recent attention from Spud, a handsome though trouble-making seventh grader, may improve her chances. But, as Katie soon realizes, the two Boston suburbanites have little in common, save for having had to repeat first grade. Despite Katie's basic intelligence and her talent for writing, her struggles with dyslexia are a daily vexation. With support from teachers, her parents and a new friend-the brilliant, fabulously wealthy and lonely Brian-Katie achieves a measure of success. Janover (Josh: A Boy with Dyslexia), who is also dyslexic, ably entwines other story elements around Katie's "learning difference": Mrs. Kelso's breast cancer, Spud's racism, a first romance and academic integrity. The dialogue, however, often sounds stilted and false, and the supporting characters are stereotypical. Katie herself is an engaging heroine; she rebels against injustice and prejudice, puts family commitments before her social life and courageously battles disability-all the while inviting and maintaining the reader's affections. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7?Seventh-grader Katie Kelso has dyslexia, which causes her to read slowly, misspell words, and forget numbers. Junior high presents a whole host of academic and social challenges for her as she confronts classic adolescent issues such as boys, dating, social cliques, and peer pressure. Katie's story provides insight into and useful factual information about a common learning disorder. However, her character doesn't ring true. She completes all of her homework in a timely manner, is extremely helpful at home, and ultimately makes all the "right" choices regarding school and friendships. One would somehow expect more angst and hazy judgment during this tumultuous developmental period. Also detracting from the plot's credibility is the fact that the boy who develops a crush on Katie happens to be both incredibly wealthy and precocious. Purchase only if there is a desperate need for materials on learning disabilities.?Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library,
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Pub (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915793768
• ISBN-13: 978-0915793761
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,164,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars At last, life with LD from a girl's perspective!, July 1, 2001

By 

Laurelea Conrad (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worst Speller in Jr. High (Paperback)

My 11 year old daughter has dyslexia, just like Katie. This is the first book we've found that paints a vivid and moving picture of what it is like for a girl to struggle with severe reading and spelling difficulties (there are many books about boys!) Katie's story resounds with humanity and a deep understanding of the challenges kids with LD face in school and at home. Yet it is not depressing! We learn what strategies Katie uses to deal with her difficulties. We see the loving support she has from her family and the inspiration of good teachers who pay her the extra attention she so needs to succeed.

Janover tells the story with an attention to detail that enables the reader to "see" everything as if it were right in front of you. I read the book to my daughter and she loved every word--Katie's tale rang so true to my own daughter's story and to her dreams and hopes. And I learned from her reactions to the story what she was going through. Clearly the author knows her material. I recommend this book strongly to any young girl or parent who wants a good read and a great story about the struggles and gifts of dyslexia!