The Wild Book

The Wild Book
by Margarita Engle

Fefa has been diagnosed by the doctor with word-blindness,
or dyslexia, stating she will never be able to read or write.
Her mother though has the beautiful idea of giving her a blank
notebook, where she can spinkle her words across the pages,
likes seeds in a garden.   This simple act creates a gentle confidence
and patience in Fefa's learning.

But when her father tells of  bad people who are fighting and taking
children, Fefa, along with the rest of the family, worries about their safety.

Written in a loose verse form, the reader easily falls into Fefa's young thoughts,
poetically understanding her state of mind.  Dyslexia not only has troubled her
past, but she worries it may trouble her future with safety concerns. 

The reader learns at the end of the story that though this is fiction, the stories were
inspired by her maternal grandmother's childhood stories. 

An encouraging read for struggling readers and early middle school.