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Children's Storybooks
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MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S BOOK DAY 2023

Book Review 

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

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I am happy to review a wonderful book by Gea Meijering, under the title “Hacking The Code, The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid” for the Multicultural Children's Book Day! #ReadyourWorld #Mcbd I’m reviewing this book as part of Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023 (1/26/23) in its 10th Year Anniversary. This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

 

So, let me introduce you to author Gea Meijering and her book

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

" 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 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”!

 

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

 

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!”

 

 

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

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What other people say about Hacking the Code.
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"Full of zany kid-adventures which entertain and make my students want to read more. Attractive illustrations add to that. A home run for all kids!"
Cindy Hall on Amazon
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"My dyslexic son bragged about how great this book was so much that his non-dyslexic friends wanted to read it.... And they loved it too!!”
Happy on Amazon
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"Filled with funny school humor, this story of a 5th grade dyslexic boy, whose trouble making antics make this a real page-turner for even the most reluctant young reader."

Pragmatic Mom website

 You can download the FREE Lesson Plan to use with Hacking the Code below.

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Let's meet the author

Gea Meijering is a creative writer, seasoned marketeer, parent mentor, and artist with a passion and a mission. As the mother of a dyslexic son, she researched dyslexia better than an FBI agent would, and witnessed the dyslexia struggle and gift it can be, upfront and personal. Gea volunteered as a parent mentor for the special education department of her local school district and is a dynamic dyslexia advocate.

Over the years she saw many kids and their parents struggling to find out why school wasn’t going well. Reason to write a children’s book that offers kids and families the opportunity to identify with the different characters, make visible the learning struggles some students go through, and bring dyslexia awareness to the community.

 

 

 

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MCBD 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!

FOUNDER'S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr's (Audreypress.com)

-Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media

-Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages

-Gold Sponsors: Interlink Books, Publisher Spotlight

-Silver Sponsors: Cardinal Rule Press, Lee & Low, Barefoot Books, Kimberly Gordon Biddle

-Bronze Sponsors: Vivian Kirkfield, Patrice McLaurin, Quarto Group, Carole P. Roman, Star Bright Books,Redfin.com, Redfin Canada, Bay Equity Home Loans,Rent.com, Title Forward

MCBD 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Sivan Hong, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Josh Funk, Stephanie M. Wildman, Gwen Jackson, Diana Huang, Afsaneh Moradian, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Eugenia Chu, Jacqueline Jules, Alejandra Domenzain, Gaia Cornwall, Ruth Spiro, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Kiyanda and Benjamin Young/Twin Powers Books, Kimberly Lee , Tameka Fryer Brown, Talia Aikens-Nuñez, Marcia Argueta Mickelson, Kerry O'Malley Cerra, Jennie Liu, Heather Murphy Capps, Diane Wilson, Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney, John Coy, Irene Latham and Charles Waters, Maritza M Mejia, Lois Petren, JC Kato and JC², CultureGroove, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Red Comet Press, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Nancy Tupper Ling, Deborah Acio, Asha Hagood, Priya Kumari, Chris Singleton, Padma Venkatraman, Teresa Robeson, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Martha Seif Simpson, Rochelle Melander, Alva Sachs, Moni Ritchie Hadley, Gea Meijering, Frances Díaz Evans, Michael Genhart, Angela H. Dale, Courtney Kelly, Queenbe Monyei, Jamia Wilson, Charnaie Gordon, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Debbie Zapata, Jacquetta Nammar Feldman, Natasha Yim, Tracy T. Agnelli, Kitty Feld, Anna Maria DiDio, Ko Kim, Shachi Kaushik

#ReadYourWorld #mcbd #mcbdgreece

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