About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is hiding a struggle at school, feeling behind their peers, or experiencing deep shame about a learning difference. It is a compassionate bridge for children who feel they are not smart because they learn differently. Maple Mehta-Cohen is a brilliant storyteller and a creative soul who has a secret: she is repeating fifth grade because she cannot read well. The story follows her journey through the stigma of being held back and the realization that her dyslexia does not define her intelligence. Parents will appreciate how the book balances the heavy weight of academic shame with the joy of cultural identity and creative expression. It is a perfect choice for middle-grade readers navigating self-advocacy and the courage it takes to be honest with friends and family about one's needs.
