The Wild Book: A moving verse novel about Fefa, a girl battling dyslexia in early 1900s Cuba, inspired by the author's own grandmother―for ages 10-12

I loved this book and can think of so many people I would like to buy a copy for, not just because it is a great story, but because of the unique prose, which makes us all appreciate just how wonderful words can be and why they are worth persevering with.Fefa is dyslexic. Reading makes her feel dizzy. She has never been a great fan of words, the letters get mixed up and make her feel anxious. The doctor has diagnosed 'word blindness'. "Some children can see everything except words. They are only blind on paper" he says.Fefa's mother refuses to accept his verdict. "Seeds of learning grow slowly" she assures me.She presents her daughter with a book and encourages her: "Think of this little book as a garden, throw wild flower seeds all over each page, let the words sprout like seedlings and then relax and watch as your wild diary grows."Fefa opens the book hesitantly, finds the pages blank within but wide open to her imagination, a place where she can write unobserved, in any way she wishes.Soon Fefa is nurturing the slow transforming pages of her wild book as she would a precious flower garden, turning those awkward spiky, complex letters into words of beauty and importance.Margarita Engle's delightful 'The Wild Book' is a tribute in verse inspired by stories told to her by her maternal grandmother, a young girl growing up in rural Cuba, struggling with dyslexia. It will be enjoyed by readers of all ages, both those who struggle with and those who adore words and of course, lovers of the blank page journal everywhere. It is a book to read and reread, silently and out loud."No one in my family ever throws anything away, not even an old story that can be told and retold late at night, to make the deep darkness feel a little less lonely."It is a magical story of a little girl coping with school, homework, older brothers, being left behind as the others go off to boarding school, of facing family threats and danger; all part of daily life on the farm and in the village, aided by a loving mother and uncle who love to recite poetry.Now couldn't we all do with a wild book...

Margarita Engle’s poetic soul came through in full glow in The Wild Book, a beautifully written tribute to her grandmother who as a child suffered “word blindness” (today’s dyslexia). Beside this heart-warming story, Engle masterfully weaves in a portrayal of a Cuban family during a turbulent, fearful time at the break of the 20th century. Fefa’s mother, who loved poetry and reading, and Fefa’s brother, who wanted to become a teacher, helped Fefa become a reader and writer, encouraging her patience and belief in herself. At the end, Fefa’s observant nature as well as her effort to learn how to read and write in a blank notebook she received from her mother help her family discover a criminal who lives on their farm and is ready to kidnap their children and blackmail the family that would never have enough money to pay for all the kidnapped children. This novel in verse depicts Engle’s deep connectedness, love, and understanding of her Cuban heritage.

Beautifully written the main character’s dyslexia is interwoven into a beautiful story told in verse (not rhyming). We got it as part of a book series for Dyslexia Awareness Month at my son’s school (for the teachers to read to the students). It did have some mature content (unwanted affections of an older man, injury, war) but we bought it for the 5th grade class so I’m not sure if that’s pretty typical (my child is much younger).

Cute and empowering story for young readers. I like how it is narrated through the main characters poetry. It's a great book for children who not only love to read, but have learning disabilities or are very creative.

The wordings are sample, but are able to move an adult. Great job!

Excellent book! My ten year old loved ever page!

Purchased for a niece who deals with dyslexia.

The history of dyslexia is as diverse and unique as each dyslexic themselves. The evolution of the condition from the use of the term "word blindness" to the term dyslexia feels as though it could be eons in the making, but it hasn't been as long as you'd think. In Ms. Margarita Engle's The Wild Book, a young girl is diagnosed with word blindness, but her strong, Cuban family doesn't believe in giving up.When the doctor tells Fefa's mother she has word blindness, her mother doesn't listen to the diagnosis of never being able to read or write. Instead she takes Fefa home and gives her the Wild Book, a blank book for Fefa to discover words all on her own. At first the words feel overwhelming and terrifying, but Fefa also has a book of poetry. Her mother's love of poetry seems like an impossibility to Fefa, especially when her brothers and sisters make fun of her for not being able to read, but the words won't be so scary if only Fefa had a chance to get to know them. Outside her Wild Book, the land of Cuba is in disarray. War, danger, hurricanes, caimans, and even bad men who kidnap children for ransom surround them. But Fefa's family doesn't give up so easily. They don't buckle under the pressure of giant reptiles, kidnappers, or word blindness. They carry on.This was a beautiful little book written in free verse. It is very short, the verse is very accessible, and the book is actually written in a manner that would not overwhelm a dyslexic student, with plenty of white space and a large font. In fact, I think this would be a great book to be read by a teacher with their whole class because not only do the words sing a beautiful melody if spoken aloud, but the discussion about learning styles is one all children should have with an adult. If children can be open about their different learning styles from a young age, perhaps the shame and guilt they feel would never stain their childhoods. I think this book might be a little too "poetic" or subtle for a young student to read by themselves, but this is perfect for a classroom setting or for a child to read with their parents. Fefa is a strong girl who shares the same self-doubt as any dyslexic student does, so she would be someone a dyslexic child could relate to with ease. I also love the backdrop of Cuba that gives you a little history thrown in with the story of this courageous girl who wouldn't give up. This is a beautiful story, so pick up a copy and read it to your students!