I'm thankful that a book like this exists. For a child with dyslexia, especially for one in an upper elementary grade, I imagine it would be very encouraging and inspiring. Parents of kids with dyslexia should definitely consider purchasing a copy. However, I did find the actual writing of the book to be not quite to my taste. The rhyming structure was a bit clunky and forced. The text sort of rambled on and probably could have been significantly shorter. The title grabs your attention but honestly doesn't seem to fit the book at all, besides the fact that it eventually becomes the narrator's nickname (and I guess a reference to his oddly-shaped knees). The book is interesting and important but could have been executed much more effectively.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Really great book. I think that it is a fun and easy to read book for kids that helps teach about different kinds of people and to have a better understanding of yourself as well. I would love to see a girl version!

You are not your struggles. You are not your disabilities.

This book is wonderful. The positive message it gives children with dyslexia (and those who have other struggles) is to always aim high and find out what you are good at. I love that over half of the book was the boys discovery of his talent as well as all of the good things about himself. It didn’t linger on the dyslexia and ask us to accept him, it shows us who he is as a person who happens to have dyslexia.

It didn’t bother me that the illustrations were all in black and white. I felt it made the story vivid and bold.

This book set on a mission to talk about dyslexia, but it hardly went into how dyslexia actually affected the character. While it was a cute story and showed him finding things he's good at, brushing dyslexia under the rug rather than talk about it more didn't have much impact.

There is certainly a need for stories out there which directly address dyslexia, but this one wasn't really a story so much as it was a pep talk. The illustrations are great - fun, funny, silly - and they place the "story" in the character's perspective... but it's still mostly 'tell' rather than 'show.' Very little action. No plot to speak of. Just the kid getting pep talks from teachers and parents and then testing out activities to find out what he's good at. I'm not sure there will be enough here to engage a child reader. I found the story pedantic, with little more than rah-rah cheerleading. Feels like a missed opportunity to offer some real insights and tools to kids with dyslexia to help them academically. Figuring out that you're good at basketball, like the main character does, isn't really sufficient to excel at school.

Also, I'm concerned at the nugget of ableism embedded in the message - dyslexia is "a gift." I don't have dyslexia, but I have an invisible disability, and I hate the message that chronic illness, mental illness or physical disability is "a gift," something to be overcome, to triumph over.

At the very least, if you insist on going this route, tell us why the dyslexia is a gift. Does it bring with it different ways of seeing the world? Are there truly upsides to it, that non-dyslexics don't experience? Again, I don't know, but if the author is going to use that language, it deserves some effort to explain or place it in context.

Only redeemed by the illustrations.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Thanks to VanitaBooks and NetGalley for the advanced look at this book. I can't wait to buy it for several teachers at our school. What a great way to encourage your students and raise money. The character is interesting and the illustrations are awesome!

My six year old son and I really enjoyed this book. We laughed a TON. Whoever made the illustrations should be a comic book writer.

While this book is marketed as a chapter book, it is not a chapter book. It's the size of short one, but it's more like a picture book with black and white drawings and a rhyming sentence on each page.

The book is about a boy who has dyslexia and feels like a failure at everything. It explains briefly that letters seem backwards to him and that words seem mixed up. It also says that he's been told to see his dyslexia as "a gift" but not really why. The boy is bad at lots of things (that have nothing to do with having dyslexia, so I hope children don't get the impression that they do) and finally finds out accidentally that he's really good at basketball. It also mentions about 10 famous people who supposedly had dyslexia (George Washington, Einstein, etc.).

It also doesn't appear that the book was written in a dyslexia-friendly font, which would have been helpful. It was printed on cream paper, supposedly to make it easier to read.

Ultimately, this just felt like a very generic book and a missed opportunity. It's nice to know that proceeds go to a school, but parents of kids with dyslexia might want to keep looking for more helpful and encouraging books.

I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

As society, especially school systems, become more educated on Dyslexia, the need for books like this becomes more pressing. The awareness component for children is especially important. I appreciated the elementary level explanations, as this can be challenging for children to comprehend. I almost felt like the second half of the story did not match the first and I wished the explanation of Dyslexia and school based experiences continued. However, this is a book that should become a staple in classrooms.

Dyslexia is a problem facing so many children today. Many feel so lost and like no one else knows what they are going through. This book will be great for those children so they do not feel so alone.

This rhyming story describes what it's like to live with dyslexia through the eyes of a young boy who has it. I could see this book in classroom libraries to help children who have dyslexia understand that they aren't alone and can succeed with a little additional help. The rhyming makes the story flow and I like the simple yet impactful storyline that shows children & readers that seeing the world differently does not mean you're alone.

"Knees" centers around a boy with dyslexia who feels out of place in his world. This book serves so many purposes. Not only does it help a young reader comprehend what dyslexia is and how it affects someone their age but it will also help someone who is dyslexic by showing them there is hope and understanding waiting for them.
The author provides so much valuable insight into how a dyslexic student feels but the message here can apply to everyone. Once the main character finds he excels in basketball and realizes his potential, he is comforted and ready to pursue his dreams. All young readers will be able to identify with this theme..A great book to have on elementary school shelves!

Thank you #Netgalley for the early read. I will definitely hand this book to students and parents who are dealing with a dyslexia diagnosis.

"We are all good of something. We just need to find it", great words for a dyslexic kid, who feels sad because he cannot do things like his friends. Great book with a great lesson for us.
Thanks Netgalley and the author for this book.

This is a wonderful book about a boy who has dyslexia and sees the world a bit differently. This is a perfect book to read to kids who need a little encouragement and support along the way. I would highly recommend this book to others and definitely have it in my classroom!

I found this book to be very helpful while reading it to my 10 year old son. It helped him to understand what dyslexic was and how to help someone that has it. Very good book that every school should have and Library.

Louis is in the fourth grade. He is a typical boy and Louis enjoys going to school. The problem is that sometimes school is not easy for Louis. He has a “mixed-up brain” that often sees things differently than the other children and even adults. Louis has dyslexia. No matter how hard he tries, words look backwards.

The illustrations in the book do a good job of showing the difficulties of someone with dyslexia.

Sometimes, when Louis writes, reads, and speaks, the words get twisted and turned around. A “b” will look like a “d.” When someone speaks, the words can get garbled and difficult to understand. Louis needs extra time to get his work done. Luckily, Louis has a special teacher to helps him learn. She is understanding and patient.

Louis learns he is in good company with his condition. Lots of other famous, successful people were p/are dyslexic as he is.

Louis dad tells him that everybody is good at something, and he just has to find it. Upon this revelation, Louis explores hobbies until he stumbles on the one where he is really good.

I liked this book because it takes the reader right into the classroom. It shows the things Louis faces, what challenges him each day, and how he manages to deal. The reader glimpses Louis’ home life and his need to find something he is good at, just like other kids. Louis just wants to be a normal kid. He has encouraging parents, a couple of great friends and, by books end, a new gained confidence in himself and his future.

As a 40 year veteran teacher I feel the book is a little too rosy, but on the other hand I feel it serves a good purpose of getting the point across that dyslexia is real and can be dealt with. I want all children to experience the book for understand and empathy

This heartwarming book is first person about a boy who has dyslexia. The rhyming storyline keeps the reader (or audience's) attention. Children realize that they are not the only one who struggles with dyslexia. The author goes beyond describing the obstacles and shares a victory that everyone really is good at something. This is an encouraging book to share with kids and adults alike who feel held back by learning struggles.

What a super cute book explaining dyslexia and then helping each child realize that everyone has different talents and potential. I read it with my son who has ADHD and he really enjoyed it. We also have a child with autism and it eased into a conversation about how everyone has different challenges in life. These challenges sometimes makes things hard, but they also come with gifts and skills that others don't have. My daughter with autism is a very gifted artist and has an amazing memory. It was great for him to recognize that just because certain things are hard, it doesn't have to define us. I really enjoyed this book and it's subject. Very uplifting, great illustrations and a quick and easy read for everyone in our family. I will definitely keep watching this author.

Succinct and fun to read! My son really enjoyed knowing that there are others like him out there who share this diagnosis.