Essay Questions

How might this book have been narrated that could have brought readers closer to understanding Ally’s world? And why is good that it isn’t?

Ally’s narration demonstrates no evidence or signs of her dyslexia. It is written as if by any student without that particular learning obstruction. Clearly, the author could have made the decision to write a narrative that more accurately reflected Ally’s problems with English, but what would that have accomplished? It would have been difficult for most readers to penetrate. Of course, one could argue that would have made the whole point of the novel more concrete: trying to translate the mixed up letter arrangement of writing by someone with dyslexia is perhaps the perfect way to get people to understand just how difficult reading is for them. That choice, while certainly admirable and not without its positive aspects, would likely have meant certain death for the story at the bookstore, however. There is a reason why people who don’t speak Russian don’t read Dostoevsky or Tolstoy in its original language and trying to read a book replicating dyslexia is not that terribly far removed. Instead, the author once again creates strength through subtlety. How long it takes a reader to realize that they are reading about a student with dyslexia who is writing a narrative in perfect English is itself a lesson worth learning.

One of the themes the story pursues is the worthiness of withholding judgment on another person’s life because you don’t know the entire story. What character provides a surprising insight into this theme by the end?

The problems faced by African-American new kid in school Keisha can never be fully understood by the rest of the student body which is white. Why does big guy Albert allow himself to be pushed around by puny bullies? Of course, Ally’s problems with public misperception of her problems is the root of the story. What comes as perhaps the book’s biggest surprise is the revelation that even stuck-up rich snobby emotional bully Shay has a reason for her bad behavior. Having a reason is not the same thing as a justifying it and it is to Ally’s great credit as an innately decent person that she tries to reach out and find common ground and bury the hatchet with her nemesis. Shay’s rejection of that effort and subsequent rejection of her by even her closest friends indicate that her problems with an abusive mother may only be at the surface of things going on. No matter how badly, misguided, gullible, mean or just plain stupid people act, there is almost always a reason and usually more than one. And the book tries to make clear that this is a truth that not does apply only to the protagonists.