Recommended Reading

Thank You, Mr. Falker

by Patricia Polacco,
ages 4-8
Thank You, Mr. Falker is a moving story about a student who is helped by a teacher who recognizes her dyslexia and helps her learn to read. This is an inspirational story for parents to read to young children.  
Hank Zipzer Collection
by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
ages 9-12
This boxed set includes four of the Hank Zipzer series: Niagara Falls, Or Does It?;  I Got a "D" in Salami; Day of the Iguana; and The Zippity Zinger. Henry Winkler, who has dyslexia, based the character on himself. The Hank Zipzer books follow the exploits of a boy in school in New York who, just like many boys, gets himself in and out of scrapes and has many adventures. He also has dyslexia. The book series is delightful for all kids, but those with learning differences in particular will be inspired by Hank's successes.
 
 
 Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
by Rick Riordan.
Rick Riordin’s son, Haley, has dyslexia and ADHD. At age nine, he refused to read but loved Greek myths ,so Rick turned his boy into a hero – Percy Jackson – in a series of bestselling books. They are also available in audiobook format.
 

Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level 
by Sally Shaywitz , M.D.
A wonderful book that explains what dyslexia is and gives parents tools for helping their children become fluent readers.
 

Parenting a Struggling Reader 
by Susan L. Hall and Louisa C. Moats
Broadway
This book helps explain how school systems work and provides real-world practical guidance on how to understand and work within the framework of the public school system. It also illuminates the need to sometimes look outside public schools for additional resources.
 
 

When the Brain Can't Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder
by Ph.d. Teri James Bellis
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) occurs when the brain cannot process or understand correctly the sounds the ears hear, even though the ears might be functioning properly. It is rarely recognized, often misdiagnosed, and poorly understood, yet the effects can be devastating. When the Brain Can't Hear is the first APD sourcebook written specifically for lay readers.
 
 
Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential
by Peg Dawson, Richard Guare
The latest research in child development shows that many kids who have the brain and heart to succeed lack or lag behind in crucial “executive skills”--the fundamental habits of mind required for getting organized, staying focused, and controlling impulses and emotions. Learn easy-to-follow steps to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, use activities and techniques proven to boost specific skills, and problem-solve daily routines. Small changes can add up to big improvements--this empowering book shows how.
 
Why Can't My Child Behave?: Why Can't She Cope? Why Can't He Learn?  by Jane Hersey
The Feingold Diet updated for today's busy families