Middle Grade Monday: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. 288 p. Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, February, 2015. 9780399162596. (Own.)

Middle Grade Monday continues to celebrate Lynda Mullaly Hunt and her upcoming visit to TMS on May 6. Fish in a Tree is her sophomore effort and a TMS favorite as well. Ally is a master of deception. The fact that she has moved to seven schools in the previous seven years has helped her mask the fact that she can't read. That and her flippant persona that often land her in the principal's office and out of the spotlight in the classroom. When Mrs. Hall leaves to have her baby, Mr. Daniels is her long-term sub. He sees past Ally's machinations and refuses to let her hide. This is a touching story about a lost little girl and her inspirational teacher.