My Name Is Brain Brian (Apple Paperbacks)

I am an upper elementary special education teacher and I love to start the year out with this book as a read aloud in my intervention class. I like to show my students that there are other people out there going through the same thing. I find that they really relate to the character. Great read!

Dyslexia runs in my family. My children can really relate to Brian. It has also helped them to understand why they think the way that they do and why they struggle with reading and writing. They now know that we are not alone. It has prompted many discussions from the struggles with dyslexia itself to right versus wrong and compassion. Though the main story line deals with Brian's struggles, the book also has stories of bullies, Canadian geese, school projects, family relations and more. The story itself is entertaining and kept the attention of my children. Even my son who does not have dyslexia enjoyed the book. I would recommend it to all people, not just those with dyslexia.

I am a parent to 9 year old boy who is dyslexic. We are non-religious homeschoolers who spend quite a lot of time out at museum and other classes and co-ops. My son has never experienced any bullying in regards to dyslexia or otherwise. He has also never experienced the nasty behavior described in the friendships in this book. Had he already been part of that, I think this would be a fine book that he could relate to. However, I did not end up reading it to him because I think it would introduce neagative thoughts that he currently doesn't worry about.For a child who has experienced the common public school issues addressed in this book, I think it is well written and on target. It ends very upbeat and practical. But, I cannot recommend it to a child who has not experienced these negatives.

My boys are dyslexic (11 & 9) and they loved listening to this book! A great story about a boy that learns he's dyslexic in the the 6th grade. His teacher is awesome, but he has a not-so-understanding father (who is probably dyslexic as well.) It touches on self-esteem, finding your dyslexic gifts, heredity and so much more. It's a great book for kiddos with dyslexia and completely relatable!

Our 11 year old was just diagnosed with dyslexia and dyscalculia. This was a great book for our son! It wasn't too difficult to read and allowed him to identify with the character. I would recommend this book for any child 4th-8th grade - it addresses a lot of topics that kids deal with today with academics and/or peers. Thank you Jeanne Betancourt for My Name is Brain Brian!!!

I purchased this book because I have a son who hates to read fiction books. I read it aloud to both my sons. Brian, the main character discovers he has a learning disability, dyslexia. My son could identify with his dislike for reading, yet also his desire to keep trying. There is suspense, humor, and fun. Brian learns who his true friends are. As a parent, I loved this book!

Short, identifies critical problems of dyslexic children in a presentable and realistic manner which resonate with children of 8 -12 years of age. My two kids (10 and 9 yrs) loved it. So did I.

I purchased this book to read with a young man in 4th grade who has been diagnosed dyslexic. It was a great book to read to let him see others with similar difficulties and how he handled it within this story. He enjoyed the story! It had a 3rd-4th grade reading level, but could be read by any elementary student.

'I walk down the hall thinking about how complicated my life has become since I found out I was smart and "learning different..."'This is a great book for kids aged 8 and up, explaining dyslexia in a thoughtful way. However, this is more than a book about learning difficulties; this book deals with issues such as peer pressure, growing up and self-acceptance - which makes it an appealing story particularly to those at an age where these issues are so prominent. The plot follows sixth-grader Brian, who likes Canadian geese, cycling and hanging out with his friends, the 'Joker Club'. He and his friends dislike school and the stuck-up girl in their class, Isabel. Brian doesn't feel intelligent, but his new teacher has another explanation for his struggles... What I particularly liked about this book was the fact that many of Brian's struggles begin AFTER he is diagnosed with dyslexia, which is refreshingly realistic, very true to life. While getting a diagnosis is important and helpful for establishing the best techniques for a child to learn (as noted by Brian's teacher), there is still much to get used to: peers who might not understand (other TEACHERS who might not understand, for that matter), knowing that there is an issue which must be worked around, frustration at having to work for much longer than other classmates, and having to determine what is helpful and what is not. Brian is a likeable narrator, well-meaning with good morals. He is very easy to relate to, whether or not you have a learning disability. Jeanne Betancourt conveys the voice of a young boy warmly and realistically. 'I'm your in-between kind of kid,' he narrates. 'My mom says I'm the best-looking boy she knows. But my sister, Hilary, says I am the ugliest thing that's ever walked the face of the earth. So I guess maybe I'm in-between in the good looks department, too.' His simple honesty is appealing and adds to the 'readability' of the story. The other characters are well-written too, so it feels like a classroom atmosphere. Brian's sweet-natured friend Dan has his own struggles, in trying to decide whether to follow the crowd or do the right thing. The peacemaker friend can identify with him. Meanwhile, there is a John - the leader of the 'class joker gang' who loves to push boundaries - in every class, as is there an Isabel of sorts. My only qualm with this book is that the ending felt a bit inconclusive. One of the side-plots - Brian's difficult life at home - isn't fully resolved, and ongoing problems are cleared up too quickly. Other than that, this is a believable and engaging story which I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a protagonist to identify with. It gives across a good message and reassurance to those who worry about not being able to learn in the same style as the majority.

The story might be about a boy but there is tons in here for both to identify with and without wishing to spoil the story one of the girls in Brians' class turns out to be quite a character! A wonderfully different tale gentle, funny, full of observation of human characteristics and a jolly good read for adults and children alike. A great book to share. The chapters are just the right length to read one a night. There is a nice twist in the end. My daughter is intelligent and articulate but struggles to get things down on paper so lots to identify with in this story. The Ace spelling dictionary is my next buy!

Initially I read the first few pages of this book thinking "oh heavens, I've wasted my money, this is going to be an all-American gung-ho story". Not at all. Brian is a very believable hero, and the cultural differences are minimised throughout the story. I won't spoil the tale, but it has enough drama to keep children hooked, whilst providing thoughtful and valuable insights into the world of a child with dyslexia. Theories of dyslexia are cleverly woven into the tale, without it becoming a rewritten textbook. A must - have for children of 9-12 who feel they are the only dyslexic children in the world.

My two boy's have dyslexia, I had bought this book quite some time ago and my youngest would not entertain it at all, until one night he was playing with his toy's and I just started readsing it allowed, Well he loved it and could not wait to hear more and more, my oldest boy of 13 also loved it and they both got some helpful hints from it, we as a family highly recomend this book. My Name Is Brian Brain (Apple Paperbacks)My Name Is Brian Brain (Apple Paperbacks)

My grandson is dyslexic, he is 8 and enjoyed this story. I would recommend it for children struggling at school or coming to terms with a diagnosis of dyslexia.