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mdyang97's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in eighth grade and was experiencing social pressures at the time. I never had a lot of friends, and some of my classes (math and science especially) were hard for me. Although I don't have a learning disability like the author did, I felt that my life could relate to the stories she was writing about.
barbtetnis's review against another edition
3.0
A great book about learning disabilities. Designed for youth but a bit too deep for younger than 14.
kristenremenar's review against another edition
4.0
As a teacher, it was really interesting to read this account of a girl/young woman who is both gifted and learning disabled, especially to see the ways she'd try to hide and compensate for her areas of weakness and the toll this took on her. Really insightful, and important for all of us to read, to see others who learn differently with a bit more compassion.
katkatniss's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Ableism and Vomit
beardedandbookulent's review against another edition
2.0
Inspiring story, but I found it very boring. I felt like the author just repeated herself over and over to the point that it sounded ...almost whiney.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
This book is about a girl who struggles with a learning disability that makes math even more difficult for her. I was terrible at math courses, and I cannot imagine trying to have to contend with a math related learning disability. I can understand why she started dreading going to school and having panic attacks. I appreciate that is her experience and her story, but I found the book a little boring. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
lakesidegirl's review against another edition
5.0
Samantha Abeel tells her own story of being diagnosed with and living with a learning disability. She tells of her struggles with concepts of math, numbers, and time. These problems came to a head in seventh grade when she began to have panic attacks because of her nervousness about her inability to understand math. Because she was incredibly gifted in most other areas, like creative writing and poetry, she fell into the category of gifted and learning disabled, making it extraordinarily difficult for her to get help from her school. When she finally received the help she needed in the form of special education, she was relieved to have help with her struggles. She goes on to detail her experiences in high school, college, and beyond in living with a learning disability.
Abeel’s well-written memoir raises important issues like the need for better special education classes and more recognition. Her story is an inspiration for others who struggle with learning disabilities.
Abeel’s well-written memoir raises important issues like the need for better special education classes and more recognition. Her story is an inspiration for others who struggle with learning disabilities.
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
3.0
The author is gifted in writing, public speaking and creativity. Because of that she masked her LD issues until 7th grade. She has a learning disability that limits her in logical and process thinking. She can name numbers and math signs, but can't tell you how to do an operation. She can't easily look at her day or week and know if she has enough time to accomplish the tasks she needs/wants to do. Oh and she has depression and perfectionism.
It is a good book. It was fairly well written. Her poetry is beautiful. It was instructive. Because of my background in both gifted and special education, I found it really interesting, but because I'm in the trenches of helping fight for the right education for my own children, it gave me anxiety, so I didn't love it as much as I might have at another time.
It is a good book. It was fairly well written. Her poetry is beautiful. It was instructive. Because of my background in both gifted and special education, I found it really interesting, but because I'm in the trenches of helping fight for the right education for my own children, it gave me anxiety, so I didn't love it as much as I might have at another time.