" Hacking The Code, The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid "

By author Gea Meijering

Illustrated by  Mads Johan Øgaard 

Published by ICarePress

A picture book in for ages 6-12

 

 

• " Hacking The Code, The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kidis a very strong feeling book in a cleverest point of writing . Targeted for children ages 6 - 12, but adults also cherish the book and everyone learns from the empowering fun-to-read story.

 

A summary of the book

 

Hacking the Code is a fun, friendship-centered story that shows how every brain works differently, and how we all have different strengths.

 

Kees is good at many things such as science, fixing things, making friends, and pulling pranks. However, because of his dyslexia, he is not so good at spelling and writing! After playing another sly prank on the teachers he ends up having to write an essay about the hardest thing he’s ever done. His friend writes it in no time, but Kees can't get anything on paper. His secret friends group is determined to help him but in the end, it is his grandpa with all his wisdom that helps Kees on its way. Will he be able to pull it off? And how on earth did he, a dyslexic kid, end up winning the highest honor at school?

 

This relatable, illustrated chapter book, brings to life the journey of a dyslexic kid in a story that highlights perseverance, creativity and, the power of true friendship.

 

My review

 

What a book! I mean seriously WHAT A BOOK! This book helped me understand dyslexia. Honestly this is a must read for everyone. Parents,  educators and kids.  

 

Kees the main characher is a dyslexic fifth-grade boy. He is a slow reader and writer, always the last one to finish and very often stares at a blank page since he can not put in paper his thoughts. He can draw them but not write them down. As she describes he feels stuck and suffocated by the mush of letters and words. He describes his brain as an Apple brain because he is better at decoding pictures and designs vise Android brain that process stuff like text and instructions. Those two have different code to process everything.

WOW! How brilliant distinction author did between a dyslexic or neurodivergent brain to a neurotypical brain.

One day Kees and his best friend Pete got a punishment from the principal, to write down a two pages essay entitled “the hardest thing you have ever done.” .

I will say no more because I don’t want to spoil the story but I encourage you all, do yourself and child a favor and get this book!

It takes on themes of bullying,  self-esteem, gives a confidence boost knowing that you are not alone. I love the fact that the book brings to light how important is the supportive group of people around us , parents, friends, teachers and how we probably need to form a tight circle of supportive friends.

 

While reading it I giggled, I laughted, I cried, I smiled , I felt proud. What an uplifting book.

The vocabulary of the book.

Rich vocabulary , without being difficult, kids  will definitely come across to new words which is fascinating. I guarantee that a child will not be bored reading. On the opposite because this book is calling out today's children. “Speaks their language”!

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• The illustrations, by Mads Johan Øgaard  , are so to the point. In a very  clever way pinpoints the difficulty of someone being dyslexic. 

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I have to admit that I underlined a lot of phrases inside the book but the following slapped my face and made me think what I as an individual can do to change this fact.

Kees our dyslexic hero said.

“I really am doing the best I can, but unfortunately for me, there’s no grade for “trying”in my reports cards. “​

 

Quote: 
 

• “Come on, Kees,” Mrs. Donow cheers. “You have to try harder.”

I SO don’t like it when she says that. It’s the biggest let-down of all when she says to try harder. Every time I write I AM doing my best. More than that, actually! I am bending over backwards to get something, anything, down on paper. Why doesn’t she understand this?

 

•  Grandpa said "Ideas are what's important, not the ability to write a sequence of letters."

 

• What makes this book worth reading ?

ABOVE ALL is the solution !  Kees explains with a simple brilliant way to his priincipal:

"Just like you can’t run Android software on an Apple device. I am constantly hacking the Android code to make something of it, if anything. . . The school needs to give lessons to those kids with an Apple brain in the right code. Simple!”

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Gea Meijering’s  book is highly recommended for everyone.  This book is an eye-opener on understanding not only what feels to live with dyslexia but gives us the urge to do more for Apple brains. A must add to school or home library.