Thank You, Mr. Falker
by Patricia Polacco

A book about bullying and dyslexia

Ages 4-8

"Thank You, Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco is a book all teachers and parents of dyslexic kids should be sharing with those students.

I read it aloud each year to my fourth graders, and often choke with tears towards the end. It is a touching story for a teacher.

Mr. Falker, a sixth grade teacher, made a dramatic difference to the child in the story. It is encouraging to students, knowing with perseverance and aide, a nonreader achieves success and later becomes a famous author.

"Thank You, Mr. Falker" was based on a true incident in Patricia Polacco’s life. It is also quietly a story of dealing with bullying, learning to get help from adults to make it stop.

Patricia was brutally teased for her lack of ‘school smarts’. It is a beautifully written and told story. All children should hear it, and those who struggle will be inspired by it. Teachers who share Thank You, Mr. Falkerwill want to make a difference in their students’ lives. It’s a winner all the way around.

Carol Gordon Ekster is a teacher and the author of Where am I Sleeping Tonight? (A Story of Divorce), from Boulden Publishing.

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