"John Rodrigues is an uplifting, rebellious voice who will strike a chord with anyone who has ever had a hard time marching in step in a culture of conformity. -Entertainment Weekly
This is an awe inspiring book that had me in tears of joy beginning in Chapter 3. The journey of a dyslexic boy who took a big hit to his self-esteem and confidence in K-12 as well as from parents who didn't understand dyslexia. How he turned those heavy challenges around to excel to heights of success and happiness is such a fun read If you wish to encourage a young dyslexic youth that there is a bright future for them, read them this book -Damefrank
As an educator myself, I was thrilled to read John's story and how he came to find ways to success beyond what teachers early on told him. It was a heart-warming story that can give hope and inspiration to those with Dyslexia and struggling to understand how to find different ways to learn. Touching, inspirational, moving, and a definite new book in my personal library. Thanks John for sharing your story -John L.
I laughed. I cried. But most of all, I learned to believe in myself and not to let anything hold me back. As a young boy, John Rodrigues knew he was different, but he didn't know he was smart. School simply didn't work for him not because he couldn't understand the language based-methods in which his teachers taught. Unbeknownst to John, he had dyslexia. However, despite his challenges with reading, he could learn, and he had dreams...dreams which led him around the world making a viable living as an ice sculptor on a cruise ship...dreams which got him into Harvard.
John's different way of viewing the world never made him consider giving up his dreams. In fact, by his own admission, he always "failed upwards" because he refused to be defeated by his dyslexia. He currently works as a public advocate on behalf of students with dyslexia. -Kelly J Charlton