What is Fish in a Tree about?

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is a middle-grade novel about Ally Nickerson, a sixth-grader struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia. After moving through seven schools in seven years due to her military father's deployment, Ally hides her reading difficulties by misbehaving in class. When her substitute teacher Mr. Daniels recognizes her learning difference and provides the right support, Ally begins to embrace her strengths, form meaningful friendships with classmates Albert and Keisha, and discover her true potential.

Who should read Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt?

Fish in a Tree is recommended for children ages 9-12, particularly students facing learning challenges, neurodivergent readers, and those experiencing bullying. Parents, educators, and counselors will find it valuable for teaching empathy and understanding about learning differences like dyslexia. The book resonates deeply with dyslexic students who feel "seen" for the first time, while helping their peers understand different learning styles. Anyone interested in stories about resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of supportive teachers should read Fish in a Tree.

Is Fish in a Tree worth reading?

Fish in a Tree is widely praised as an inspiring and heartfelt story that celebrates learning differences and the importance of inclusive education. Readers appreciate Lynda Mullaly Hunt's authentic portrayal of dyslexia through Ally's first-person perspective, which allows readers to understand her internal struggles. The book has helped countless students feel validated and has fostered empathy in classrooms. While some critics note the resolution feels somewhat idealized, the positive message and relatable characters make Fish in a Tree a worthwhile read for building understanding and confidence.

Who wrote Fish in a Tree?

Lynda Mullaly Hunt is the author of Fish in a Tree, published in 2015. Hunt writes middle-grade fiction that focuses on characters with learning differences and challenges. Her compassionate storytelling and authentic representation of dyslexia have made Fish in a Tree a popular choice in schools nationwide. The novel demonstrates Hunt's commitment to helping children understand that intelligence comes in many forms and that everyone learns differently.

What does the title Fish in a Tree mean?

The title Fish in a Tree references the central quote: "Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid." This powerful metaphor illustrates how traditional education systems often fail students with learning differences by measuring everyone with the same standards. Ally, like a fish being asked to climb, feels inadequate when judged solely on reading ability, but the title reminds readers that her intelligence simply manifests differently.

What are the main characters in Fish in a Tree?

The main characters in Fish in a Tree include: * **Ally Nickerson**, the protagonist with dyslexia * **Mr. Daniels**, her understanding substitute teacher studying special education * **Albert**, a brilliant but bullied classmate who becomes Ally's loyal friend * **Keisha**, another supportive friend * **Shay**, the class bully who torments Ally Ally's deployed father, hardworking mother, and older brother Travis (who also has undiagnosed dyslexia) provide important family context. These characters represent different responses to challenges and the importance of community support.

What challenges does Ally face in Fish in a Tree?

Ally Nickerson faces multiple interconnected challenges throughout Fish in a Tree. Her undiagnosed dyslexia makes reading and writing extremely difficult, causing her to see letters backward and words moving on the page. To hide her learning difference, she misbehaves and gets sent to the principal's office repeatedly. She endures bullying from classmate Shay and her followers, who mock Ally for being "weird". Additionally, Ally struggles with family stress—her father's military deployment, her grandfather's recent death, and her mother's long work hours as a waitress.

How does Mr. Daniels help Ally in Fish in a Tree?

Mr. Daniels, a substitute teacher studying special education, quickly recognizes Ally's dyslexia beneath her misbehavior. He patiently allows her to complete assignments using different modalities that leverage her other intelligences and strengths. Through gentle one-on-one tutoring, Mr. Daniels teaches Ally reading strategies while rebuilding her shattered self-esteem. His supportive approach helps Ally understand that she isn't stupid—just wired differently. This teacher-student relationship exemplifies how attentive, knowledgeable educators can transform a struggling student's life by providing appropriate accommodations and believing in their potential.

Fish in a Tree Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Fish in a Tree

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fiction

Education

Inspiration

Personal Development

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Dyslexic Ally Nickerson's struggle becomes triumph in this New York Times bestseller, optioned for film and Broadway. Translated into 15 languages and winner of the ALA Schneider Award, "Fish in a Tree" proves what teachers have always known - great minds don't think alike.

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Explore Your Way of Learning

Fish in a Tree isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Fiction. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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@Matt, YC alum

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

Get the Fish in a Tree summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Fish in a Tree

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fiction

Education

Inspiration

Personal Development

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary8min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun19min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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Key Takeaways

Seeing Through Different Eyes: Ally's World of Dancing Letters

00:00

Imagine letters that dance across the page like mischievous black beetles, refusing to stay put long enough to form words. This is sixth-grader Ally Nickerson's reality. She's attended seven schools in seven years due to her father's military career, and at each one, she's perfected the art of hiding a painful secret: she can't read. Not because she doesn't want to, but because her undiagnosed dyslexia transforms text into an incomprehensible jumble. When asked to read aloud, panic sets in-her mind blanks, palms sweat, and shame washes over her. Years of being called "slow" and "dumb" have convinced Ally she's broken beyond repair. Yet beneath this struggle lies a brilliant mind that works in vivid images rather than words. Ally excels at spatial reasoning and has a remarkable memory for things she hears. She keeps a "Sketchbook of Impossible Things" filled with fantastical drawings that reveal her rich inner world. But in a school system that prizes reading above all else, Ally's unique gifts remain invisible-even to herself. "Everyone thinks if you don't learn the way they teach, then you can't learn," she reflects bitterly. The isolation is crushing; she keeps her difficulties secret from everyone, including her hardworking mother and mechanically gifted brother Travis. Some secrets feel too big to tell.

The Classroom Battlefield: Navigating Social Hierarchies

The Teacher Who Changed Everything: Mr. Daniels' Revolutionary Approach

Finding Your Tribe: The Power of True Friendship

Redefining Intelligence: Great Minds Don't Think Alike

The Courage to Be Seen: Ally's Journey to Self-Acceptance

Beyond the Page: The Ripple Effect of Understanding

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

Fish in a Tree Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Fish in a Tree into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 10 Insights from Fish in a Tree in a Nutshell

Distill Fish in a Tree into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Fish in a Tree Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories

Experience Fish in a Tree through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience Fish in a Tree in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

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Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Summary

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Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Summary

Overview of Fish in a Tree

Similar books to Fish in a Tree

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Key Takeaways

Seeing Through Different Eyes: Ally's World of Dancing Letters

The Classroom Battlefield: Navigating Social Hierarchies

The Teacher Who Changed Everything: Mr. Daniels' Revolutionary Approach

Finding Your Tribe: The Power of True Friendship

Redefining Intelligence: Great Minds Don't Think Alike

The Courage to Be Seen: Ally's Journey to Self-Acceptance

Beyond the Page: The Ripple Effect of Understanding

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Fish in a Tree Summary in 8 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Fish in a Tree in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Fish in a Tree Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Fish in a Tree Summary in 0 Minutes

Download Fish in a Tree PDF

Download Fish in a Tree EPUB

More Like This

Key Takeaways

Seeing Through Different Eyes: Ally's World of Dancing Letters

The Classroom Battlefield: Navigating Social Hierarchies

The Teacher Who Changed Everything: Mr. Daniels' Revolutionary Approach

Finding Your Tribe: The Power of True Friendship

Redefining Intelligence: Great Minds Don't Think Alike

The Courage to Be Seen: Ally's Journey to Self-Acceptance

Beyond the Page: The Ripple Effect of Understanding