Ally is always getting into trouble at school. Her behaviour is disruptive and her teachers are at a loss to work out what her problem is. I’m not giving anything away here to tell you that Ally has dyslexia and it’s pretty damn obvious to the reader from the go-get. What I don’t understand is that it takes everyone, including her mother, so long to work this out! She’s in Year 6 for heaven’s sake! The book has a contemporary setting, but the behaviour of its characters are not in tune with today’s educational systems.

Ally’s father is in the army, so she gets moved around a lot, with the associated issues of always being the new kid at school. She makes friends who offer her much needed support. I felt, though, that these kids ticked all the ‘correct’ boxes: Afro-American, Japanese and autistic, and the words put into their mouths unrealistic. Have you ever heard a Year 6 boy say something like this: “You’re talking like a fool saying I don’t understand what it’s like to be different. But the thing is….I’m only different to the people who see with the wrong eyes.” Beautiful sentiment, but would a 10 year old say it?

Enter stage left, (riding a white steed), Mr. Daniels, a new teacher, who addresses his class as “my Fantasticos”. He quickly detects what Ally’s learning difference is. Really? His teaching style is much more suited to a younger year group - perhaps if this story had been set in Year 4 it would have been more convincing. I have worked in a school environment, and was made extremely uncomfortable by Mr. Daniels presenting Ally with a personal gift - this would be seen as most inappropriate in an Australian school - perhaps the American system is different?

Fish in a Tree has very good intentions and a sweet message, but it lacks nuance. Will this matter to its intended audience? I think it could - today’s young readers are critical thinkers and are always on the lookout for anything that lacks authenticity.

As an adult reading this novel I saw the above issues; I’d love to know what young readers think of it. And having said all this, I would still recommend it to upper primary readers, as its message of empathy and support for the ‘square pegs in round holes’ kids is vitally important.