Fish In A Tree Full Book

Let’s be honest: school can feel like a puzzle where everyone else has the instructions, and you’re just staring at the box. If you’ve ever felt like the only one who doesn’t get it, Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is your new best friend. It’s a book that wraps a warm, funny hug around anyone who’s ever feared being labeled as “different.”

The story follows Ally Nickerson, a sixth-grader who is a master of distraction—she makes jokes, she acts out, and she hides behind a wall of “I don’t care.” But really, Ally has a secret: she can’t read. The letters dance on the page, and she’s terrified anyone will find out. Sound familiar? Even if you’re not a struggling reader, you’ve definitely had a thing you were afraid to fail at.

Then, everything changes when a new teacher, Mr. Daniels, walks in. He sees past her mischief and spots the brilliant, creative kid underneath. Spoiler alert (but not really): Ally has dyslexia. But this book isn’t a sad lecture—it’s a joyful, fast-paced adventure about discovering your superpower when the whole world thinks you’re just a problem.

Why this book makes life more fun (seriously)

First, it’s like a masterclass in friendship. Ally’s crew—Keisha and Albert—are the kind of friends you wish you had in your corner. Keisha is fierce and loud, Albert is a quiet genius who carries a bag of food for emergencies, and together, they prove that your weirdness is actually your greatest strength.

Second, the book is hilarious. You’ll laugh out loud when Ally imagines her brain as a giant jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces, or when she escapes into her own world of “wordless thinking.” It reminds you that even the toughest struggles can be tackled with a side of comedy and a dash of grit.

Explicit Instruction

And here’s the kicker: the author, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, wrote this book because she lived it. She struggled with reading as a kid and wanted to tell kids (and adults!) that having a different brain isn’t a curse—it’s a treasure chest waiting to be unlocked. How cool is that?

What you’ll take away (and want to shout from the rooftops)

You’ll start seeing the people around you differently. That quiet kid in the back? Maybe they’re a visual genius. The one who acts up? They might just be scared. The book teaches that everyone’s brain works in its own wonderful, messy way—and that’s exactly how it should be.

Fish in a Tree | Inspiring Books For 2016 | POPSUGAR Smart Living Photo 9

Plus, you’ll get a killer line to live by: “Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” Read that again. Let it sink in. Now apply it to your own life. What “tree” have you been trying to climb that isn’t your jam?

Your next move (yes, you!)

So here’s your homework, but don’t worry—it’s the fun kind. Grab a copy of Fish In A Tree today. Read it alone, read it with a friend, or read it to a kid who feels invisible. It’s a quick read that leaves a gigantic footprint on your heart.

You are not a failure. You are not broken. You are a fish in a tree—perfectly designed for water, not branches. Go find your ocean. And when you do, bring this book along. Trust me, you’ll want to share the view.