Ms. Janet Altman

A mother and daughter face the challenges of learning disabilities in this heartfelt, uplifting story. Rosemary Enrico watches her daughter trudge to and from school weighed down by a backpack stuffed with books she can't read. Third grade homework consumes hours. Parked on a folding chair next to Dawn's desk, Rosemary reads assignments aloud and copes with Sammy's jealousy. Why can't Dawn read? The teachers offer Rosemary reassurance, not answers. They say Dawn's every bit as bright as Kurt who has honor roll certificates galore. Certain Dawn will read when she's ready, Frank tells Rosemary her constant worrying undermines their daughter. Worse yet, he opposes the diagnostic testing Dawn needs. Early in September, when a substitute gives a review spelling test, Dawn discovers she's even dumber than she thought. Every single word is wrong. That evening, when homework crowds out another bedtime bath, Dawn tells Rosemary she wants to crawl back inside her belly and be born smart.