Thank You, Mr. Falker

For the troubled reader, or former troubled readers...

This book nearly always brings me to tears. The autobiographical nature of the book, the difficulty so many children have with reading, and the portrayal of how cruel children can be all get me emotional when I read this to my class. I was a struggling reader as a child, though no one ever tormented me in a way similar to Patricia Polacco's main character. I always read this book to my class each year because of my experiences, and as a way of reassuring my students that we aren't all perfect at everything we do. I want all of my readers to feel comfortable that it's okay to struggle a bit with a text, and that they are supported in my class by all members of our learning community. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Thank You, Patricia Polacco for bringing a voice to so many who've struggled with reading. I'm so glad you decided to write. My own struggles inspired me to get my reading specialist credential, and a masters degree in teaching reading. I'm sure this book will inspire many more children and adults to stick with reading until it clicks for them.

Touching

This book is about a girl who struggles with reading for longer than any teacher or parent would want to see. The illustrations show the emotions of the characters and are extremely colorful. This is a great read aloud book for children just starting out on their reading journey or children who have struggled or are still struggling. It is also a feel good book for all ages.

Mr. Falker is the best!

Thank you Mr. Falker is about Patricia and Mr. Falker. In school Patricia has a problem. She didn't know how to read and the other kids were making fun of her. My favorite part was when she opens up a book and discovers she can read a paragraph by herself. I would recommend this book to teachers, students that struggle with reading, good readers, and fans of Patricia Polacco. This book is heart-warming. I give it 5 stars!

Gotta Read!!!!

I thought Thank you, Mr. Falker was a great book. I wouldn't say it was a terribly sad book because it was happy at the end. It was sad when Tricia thought she was dumb. It wasn't fair for people to hurt Tricia in such a way that it would make her feel dumb. At the time in the book it made me stop and think how it would make me feel if someone called me dumb. I know I would't like it. It was amazing how Mr. Falker could help Tricia, and make her be able to read. It is so cool how Patricia Polacco started out not being able to read, and how well she writes books now. I enjoyed reading Thank you, Mr.Falker.

An EXTRAODIARY Book

I thought this book was extraordinary. It was sad but had some good parts too. The beginning of the book was a surprise because I learned that she could not read. The middle was very sad because Trisha found out she was different from the other kids. In the end, her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker, helper her with reading and she never forgot what her grandpa taught her about the honey even though he went up to the stars.

A very touching book!

I think this book was extraordinary!!! It was very powerful and it was good about describing her life as a child. Trisha, the girl in the story, had a disability so she couldn¿t read or write. Everybody teased her because of that, but later in the book she overcomes that disability with the help of her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker. I recommend this book to anybody that likes reading.

Outstanding!!!

This is a great book! It gives a first hand account of what it is like for a child to go through school with a reading challenge like Dyslexia. I highly recommend it for all parents to read to their children.

I cried

I did not expect to get emotional reading this children's book to my daughter that she got from her school library. If you remember that kid that was teased or were teased yourself you will feel for this girl and the triumphant end is totally surprising.

A childhood classic for the new generation...

A girl in my class two years ago read this book to our sixth grade class and I fell in love with it! It was really inspirational! I think that even though this is a picture book, It is as strong as the thickest novel! It really has an amazing message too!

Worth the Read

Patricia Polacco is a master. Her stories always strike a chord in my heart, but this is especially touching as a fictionalized account of Patricia's own shame and struggle with learning disabilities. Another theme of this book not to be overlooked is the devastation of childhood bullying. A must for teachers, but wonderful for any reader of any age.

Where's the editor?

As most people have mentioned, this book is powerful and moving. A former teacher myself, I see the value of telling a story about learning disabilities and how good teachers can help students overcome them. But with that said, the writing still isn't very good. There are many awkward passages, and Patricia Polacco immediately dates the book by setting it when it happened, however many years ago that was. Just because it's autobiographical doesn't mean it can't be modernized to appeal more strongly to today's children. The dialogue is also badly forced and rarely sounds natural. So, a mixed review is appropriate. The story is worth four or five stars, but the words themselves are worth one or two. That's a shame, because this could have been an immediate classic.

Great Teacher Book

This is an outstanding book. My student teacher's last day with my class, we read Thank You Mr.Falker. He started to cry.I just really really love this book. Go to the library and check this book out. Hopefuly you will buy this book.

Good

It was good. I enjoyed this book through the eyes of my son Ben--inspirational!!

awsome

wen i was in 5th grade we had a librarian come to our school and read to us wen she brought out the book and i saw the cover i thought omg wat does she think she is doing we are in the 5th grade not 1st and then wen i heard her read it i started to cry. U have to check out this book it is awsome. and also dont judge a book by its cover.

Thank you, Patricia Polacco

On one of my mother's numerous visits, she insisted that we go to Barnes and Noble because I HAD to read this book by Patrica Polacco. She dragged me to the kids section (I am now 21 years old), sat me down, and stood over me while I read it. Well, the tears started to flow! The universality of her story is incredible. It applies to all ages and can inspire those having difficulty reading and those who take advantage of their skill. I have always found joy in the worlds that books create, and Thank You, Mr. Falker captures that joy vividly. Thank you, Patricia Polacco for writing this inspirational tale.

Unbelievable

This book was given to me by my daughters principal to read. She warned me, yet I still was unprepared for the tears that I would shed. When the little girl makes it to 4th grade and is still unable to read it is heartbreaking, then when she moves and meets an amazing teacher that works with her and teaches her to read, it is heartwarming. This book was so so moving that I recommend it for anyone of any age.

Inspiration to both kids and adults

In Patricia Palacco's Thank You, Mr. Falker the author created a story that was very heart touching. This story was one that many regardless of age could make a personal connection too. The story triggered feelings of helplessness, sadness, frustration,hope, and happiness amongst many other feelings. I found that i was able to make a persoanl connection to this story because i have had many struggles in my life that i have overcome through the guidance of believing and also support of family and friends. This story helped me to realize how important my role as a teacher in the lives of each student is. We the teachers are the molders of our Lawyers, Doctors, Presidents, Vice President, and the list goes on and on.... (Teachers Role- is just not a respected profession even though we wear many different hats in the lives of these kids.)

Patricia is an awesome writer.

This book was read to me and the 2nd through 3rd grade staff of my school. As a teacher, myself, I feel she has captured the true essence of teaching and caring. I must say, I cried. It is a great read aloud book and one that must be added to your collection at school and at home. This one's a keeper!!

Great Staff Development Book

What a wonderful book to read to your teachers! The story of a teacher who makes a difference in the life of a struggling student. My staff loved the book - and now it will be sold out at the bookstores near our school! Try it, you'll enjoy the story for a long time to come!

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