Flipping Forward Twisting Backward

A diagnosis of dyslexia could change everything for an aspiring fifth-grade gymnast struggling at school in this authentic, high-energy novel in verse.

The print edition of this title is set in a font developed to be easy to read.

The gym is where Claire shines and she's on her way to qualifying for the state championships. But at school, she's known as a troublemaker--which is fine with her since it helps her hide her reading problem. Claire has never been able to make sense of the wobbling jumble of letters on a page.

When a sympathetic principal wonders if she's acting out because she may have dyslexia, she's stunned. Claire has always assumed she's dumb, so she's eager to get evaluated. But her mother balks. Afraid Claire will be labeled "stupid," she refuses testing. Can Claire take on both her reading challenges and her mother's denial? Is it worth jeopardizing her dream of the state championships?

Told in clear and poignant verse and featuring black and white illustrations, Claire's struggle with something that seems to come easily to everyone else will resonate with readers and have them cheering her on.


About the Author
Alma Fullerton couldn't read until she was in the fourth grade. Today she works with students who have learning disabilities. She is the author of several middle grade and young adult novels that garnered acclaim and awards in her native Canada. Alma is also the author/illustrator of several picture books. She is on faculty with the Highlights Foundation for teaching novel in verse writing and is an RA for SCBWI's Canada East region.

Sarah Mensinga is the author and illustrator of the picture book, The Box, and has worked on films including "The Ant Bully" and "Escape from Planet Earth," as well as the TV show, "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron." Sarah has also contributed stories to the Flight comic anthologies. Born in Canada, Sarah now lives in Texas with her family. Find more of her work at sarahmensinga.com.