Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

She couldn’t learn how to read the same way other children did. Falker, you learn that Trisha is really Patricia Polacco herself. The story behind the storyĪt the end of Thank You, Mr. Falker made sure Trisha learned how to read. Until her family moved to California, and Trisha met Mr. They tormented her, and she tormented herself. That’s not what the teachers intended to teach her. Instead, she learned that she was stupid. But she didn’t learn to read in kindergarten, or in first grade, or even in second grade. And the family says in unison, “Yes, and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book!” He puts honey on the cover of a book, and tells her to taste it. It’s one that has been handed down in the family. When Trisha is five years old, and about to start kindergarten, her grandfather holds a ceremony for her.

Falker tells the story of a girl named Trisha as she struggles to learn to read. You don’t expect them to grab your heart and wring tears out of your eyes.īut that’s exactly what Thank You, Mr. I try to avoid it.īut I thought Thank You, Mr. And it’s awkward, sitting on the train with a book on my lap and tears running down my face. I’m a sappy and sentimental reader, and all kinds of stories make me cry. I know because that little girl was me, Patricia Polacco.” This important book is excellent for discussing learning difficulties, and tolerance for one another.I should have known not to read Thank You, Mr. With his support, and a special reading teacher, Tricia’s face finally glows again-over the pages of a book! An author’s note will be of great interest to young readers: “The rest of the year became an odyssey of discovery and adventure for the little girl. Falker rushes to the rescue, flamboyant tie flying. The bully’s face grimaces as Tricia cowers. Images in confident pencil line and marker are expressive and lifelike. In that dark place she felt completely safe.” Readers of all ages will be distressed by this change from the beloved, happy little girl at the beginning of the story. she could hide under the inside stairwell during the free time. By the time Tricia is in grade three, the bullying has escalated: “She discovered that. The language in this lengthy story is intimate, yet unsentimental. School starts off full of joy and excitement for little Tricia, but as the years go by, and she still has trouble reading words and numbers, it turns into a discouraging ordeal.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco