Fish In A Tree by Lynda Hunt shows even if you have disadvantages you should not be judged by them.  Ally is a dyslexic child. But when Mr. Daniels, the newest teacher, comes along he helps her to learn to read and write.

      Ally is tired of hearing herself being called dumb, loser, or freak. And she has no friends. But that is not true anymore when she meets Keisha. Keisha sticks up for Ally and then the two soon meet Albert. Then one day they see Albert is covered with bruises and has a black eye. He spills out explaining how the mean boys bully him every day. Keisha is determined to put a stop to it and she does.

        The next day the class went on a trip to a museum. Shay rudely drew an offensive picture of Ally. Ally ran out the door crying. Later, it was resolved when Mr. Daniel stepped in but the two still loathed each other.

         When class elections started there were only two candidates: Shay and Ally. Ally was well supported for the election but it would still be a tough race. As the votes were counted Ally anxiously waited for the final vote to be counted. Ally had won!

          Later that day the students had a project they had to think of something they would want a limitless amount of. Albert said antibiotics so he could give it to anyone in need of them. Oliver said Elmers glue so he could apply it to his hands then later peel it off. And Shay said money so she could endlessly buy whatever she wanted. They also had another project they had a riddle: You are at a river. With you are a Chicken, Bag of Grain, and a Wolf. You have to cross the river in your canoe but can only take one with you at a time. You can’t leave the chicken with the grain. He’ll eat it. You can’t leave the wolf with the chicken. He’ll eat it. How do you get everything over and intact? Ally was the first to finish the puzzle. This shows you should not criticize someone because they cannot read or write. Later Mr. Daniels offers Ally lessons in reading and writing she agrees. In a few weeks, she is able to read and write like the other students.

     Fish in a tree shows many things such as you shouldn’t be judged by some of your abilities. Ally has never learned to read but she is still very smart. She has the ability to trick many smart people. Also, she can keep her dyslexia a secret. Ally may be dyslexic but that will never stop her from being smart.