About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling discouraged by their own 'clumsiness' or when they feel like their brain works differently than their peers. Hank Zipzer is a lovable, relatable hero who navigates the world with dyslexia and ADHD, though the focus here is on his humorous and heart-wrenching attempts to help at his mom's deli for Take Your Child to Work Day. Through a series of slapstick mishaps and a run-in with a school bully, Hank deals with intense feelings of embarrassment and the pressure to succeed. It is a fantastic choice for normalizing neurodiversity while emphasizing that mistakes do not define a person's worth. Parents will appreciate how the story moves from high-energy chaos to a sweet moment of genuine gratitude and professional appreciation.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
Bullying/Teasing. While the tone of the book is humorous, Hank is frequently mocked by a peer for his mistakes and struggles with executive functioning. This may be distressing for sensitive readers or those who share similar challenges.
Ideal Reader
An elementary student who enjoys 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' but needs a protagonist who is more earnest and kind-hearted. It is especially resonant for children who struggle with executive functioning or feel 'out of sync' with classroom expectations. The book is printed in Dyslexie font, which is specifically designed to be easier for neurodivergent kids to read.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold.
Age Experience
Younger readers (6-7) will focus on the slapstick humor and the 'gross-out' appeal of flying food. Older readers (8-9) will better internalize Hank's internal struggle with self-esteem and his eventual epiphany regarding his teachers' dedication.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about learning differences that feel 'educational,' the Hank Zipzer series is written by Henry Winkler (who has dyslexia) and prioritizes genuine humor and fast-paced plotting over a moralizing message. The use of the Dyslexie font also makes the text more accessible for readers with dyslexia.
Read plot summary
Hank joins his mother at her deli for Take Your Child to Work Day. Despite his best intentions, Hank's struggles with focus and organization lead to a series of escalating accidents, including messing up orders and a literal flying potato salad incident. His day is further complicated by his rival, Nick McKelty, who mocks his mistakes. Ultimately, Hank finds a way to make amends by helping with a large order for a group of teachers, leading him to realize how hard his own teachers work every day.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Hank really wants to do a good job at the deli. Why do you think things keep going wrong for him even though he is trying his hardest?
2
Nick McKelty is not very kind to Hank at the deli. If you were Hank's friend standing there, what would you have said to Nick?
3
When the potato salad flies, Hank feels a lot of shame. Have you ever had a 'flying potato salad' moment where you felt like everyone was watching a mistake you made?
4
At the end of the book, Hank thinks about his teachers differently. How did working at the deli change his mind about school?
