A Nasty Dose of the Yawns: An Adventure with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties

Zack, who struggles with reading and writing, discovers his class infected by a mysterious sleeping sickness. He uses his strengths to help his classmates, but unexpected consequences arise. This book is for readers aged 8-12 and explores the challenges faced by learners who find literacy difficult, including the psychological impacts and the importance of drawing on strengths to overcome them. It is also available as a set with a supporting guide.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 78 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Zack has always struggled with school. Despite his proficiency in math and his remarkable skill in flicking elastic bands, reading and writing have always been an arduous task for him, akin to wrestling a ferocious kraken. However, everything changed one fateful day when he discovered that the rest of his class had fallen victim to a mysterious sleeping sickness. Drawing upon his strengths, Zack embarked on a mission to help his classmates, but his actions had unforeseen consequences.

The practical challenges of living in a world that presumes a high level of literacy were amplified for Zack. He found himself at a disadvantage as he grappled with the complexities of written language and struggled to keep up with his peers in class. The emotional toll of his literacy struggles was also significant, as he often felt isolated and frustrated, wondering why he found it so difficult to master a skill that seemed to come so easily to others.

Despite the obstacles he faced, Zack refused to give up. He recognized that his strengths, such as his mathematical aptitude and his dexterity with elastic bands, could be leveraged to help his classmates. He began to offer tutoring and assistance to those who were struggling, using his unique skills to break down the barriers to literacy.

However, Zack's actions had unintended consequences. As he worked tirelessly to help his classmates, he began to neglect his own academic pursuits. He spent countless hours studying and practicing, sacrificing his social life and hobbies to ensure that his classmates were successful. His dedication to their well-being was admirable, but it came at a cost to his own personal growth.

As the weeks passed, Zack's health began to deteriorate. He was exhausted from the constant studying and tutoring, and his body was struggling to cope with the stress. He started to feel ill, and his grades began to suffer. His teachers and parents became concerned, and they urged him to take a break and focus on his own needs.

Despite their concerns, Zack was determined to help his classmates. He continued to work tirelessly, even as his health worsened. He refused to give up, even when it seemed like all hope was lost. And finally, after months of struggle, Zack's hard work paid off. His classmates began to recover from the sleeping sickness, and Zack's grades began to improve.

Looking back on his experience, Zack realized that he had learned valuable lessons about resilience and self-sacrifice. He had discovered that his strengths could be used to help others, but he had also learned the importance of taking care of himself. He had learned that success was not just about achieving academic excellence, but also about finding balance and fulfillment in all aspects of life.

In conclusion, this engaging story, suitable for readers aged 8–12, explores some of the challenges faced by learners who find literacy unusually difficult. Alongside the practical difficulties of living in a world that assumes good levels of literacy, it explores some of the psychological impacts of struggling to achieve a skill that most children acquire with relative ease. Ultimately, it shows children that they can draw on their strengths and overcome the challenges in their way.

Also available as a set with a supporting guide, this book operates as a fun and entertaining standalone story, as well as an educational opportunity. The range of vocabulary means it can be used flexibly, for independent, paired or whole-group reading. It is a must-have book for every classroom.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 148 x 211 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032076409