By Erin Dionne
I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting book, totally enjoyable. An entertaining tale about our hapless heroin Hester, Hess for short. She is on the verge of failing the eighth grade and losing all of her friends with the real possibility of repeating the year. Hess has a learning disability, which curtails her ability to organize and function in the classroom. She tries so hard to maintain her focus, but why can't the world be viewed through her camera? When she is working on her movies and with her friends she is able to focus and is driven to stay on task, how can this be translated to her school work.
Just as everything is about to implode around her, her grades are at a new low, her friends are angry and she can not participate in the Hoot; help comes from unexpected corners. First of all, the drama teacher offers some insightful words of advice, she reminds Hess that she is the director or her own story (life). Basically, that Hess is in charge of her actions, the focus that she uses in her films can be utilized in her real life problems. Secondly, her brother gives her the genius idea of putting her notes and study as if she is prepping a movie, using a story board for organization. These revelations prove to be the switch that Hess needs.
What is so amazing about this book is the insight that it gives the reader to the differences in many of its readers. Not everyone learns the same way, not everyone has the capability of retaining information in the same manner. Middle school can be a very rewarding but exhausting time. A students growth and their potential are limitless, being able to express and learning in different modes is invaluable. I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and think that all students above the fifth grade will enjoy this funny but touching tale.
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