Thank You Mr. Faulker by Patricia Polacco
With honey poured on a book, Grandpa taught his granddaughter at age five that knowledge was sweet, but she would have to chase it through the pages of a book. Trish was eager to learn to read, but as much as she wanted to read she could not make sense out of all those squiggles. Trish suffered through many years of hardship and cruel teasing from her classmates until her teacher, Mr. Faulker, recognized her problem and worked with her after school until she was able to make sense of it all. This is a wonderful true story about the childhood of the author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco. If you know a child with learning difficulties, especially dyslexia, you should read this book for great insights to help you understand what he or she may be going through.
Note: This post is repeated from an earlier time to accommodate comments from students at my new school, St. Mark Elementary School and to make it easier for them to find this post.
My students wrote their comments on sticky notes after listening to this book. Here are some of their responses:
Mrs. Ervin’s 4th Grade
Jasmine: I liked the book Thank You Mr. Falker because one time I couldn’t read and I had to sound out words.
LaDeia: I like the story when she finally could read.
MaKaylia: I like the story because the little girl did not know how to read but at the end her teacher taught her her how. It was based on a real story.
Alice: I like the story. It was so good because once I was in the boat she was in and had the same problem.
Cory: She reminds me of myself but not with the reading problem. I felt the same but now I don’t.
Tammara: That story reminds me of myself when I couldn’t read.
Damonta: I think the book is good. She spent her life getting picked on. She had trouble reading. She can read now.
Direlle: I like the part when she learned how to read because I love to read. I love reading!!!!
Makiah: I feel sad because they picked at her. She learned how to read. It is good to know how to read.
Jerry: Mr. Falker was a good teacher and Tricia was a smart girl. It was a good story.
Mr. Kauffman’s 5th Grade
Keiasha: I’m glad that Mr. Falker was there to help her. I think that Mr. Falker is nice.
JaDell: Trisha wanted to learn how to read, but when she tried, kids started to laugh at her. When she moved to California Mr. Falker helpled her read.
Jasmine: I liked the book. It reminds me of myself.
Chicota: I like the book. It almost made me cry.
Aubriell: I like this book because she didn’t know how to read, but Mr. Falker helped her get rid of all the trouble.
Ahmad: Mr. Falker helped a little girl read, and after she knew how to read she made books for children.
Jessica: I like the story because the little girl couldn’t read and she was about to give up. But the man believed in her.
LaDarius: I like this book a lot because she thought that she was dumb, but Mr Falker helped her learn to read.
Samoni: I think this book was good because Patricia couldn’t read but Mr. Falker helped her.
Jacob: I liked it because it shows how a 5th grade teacher helped a girl read.
Edwin:I think it is good because a little girl at last learns to read and nobody called her dumb.
Mrs. Kent’s 6th Grade
TyAsia: I think this book is very good because it helps a girl understand that she can do anything that she puts her mind to.
Jeanene: “Thank You Mr. Falker” was a good book. I felt very happy to know that Patricia Polacco learned how to read with the help of Mr. Falker. With her courage she learned how to read.
James M: I feel sorry for you, Patricia Polacco, because of the things you went through while you were in school, but I feel proud of you because you kept on trying and didn’t give up.
James D: I don’t think they should have treated her like that because she could not read.
Kevin: I think this book is good because she is talking about her own life.
By: Janice D. Green on September 7, 2010
at 4:48 pm