Xtraordinary People: Unlock Your Extraordinary Dyslexic Thinking Skills

Gr 1-4–Griggs tackles the status quo, where dyslexic children often grow up thinking they aren’t as smart as their peers when they don’t do as well on tests. These tests usually focus on skills that dyslexic learners might struggle with like memorization and reading. This can cause them to focus only on their faults, so it’s important for dyslexic children to have the space to focus on their strengths, passions, and what makes them who they are. Griggs notes that identifying what type of person they are can help with determining what kind of career might be a good fit. Some examples of the possible personality types are storytellers, questioners, and “people people,” and one person can be a mix of multiple types. Readers can consider that people who are storytellers love stories and would make great filmmakers, while “people people” love helping others and make excellent doctors. In a riveting mix of illustrations, this book focuses on the struggles and strengths of dyslexic learners, but the advice provided applies to just about anyone. All readers can start thinking about where their interests and gifts lie and what future careers they might want to pursue. The colorful, cartoon style of the characters shows them experiencing setbacks but ultimately flourishing in different careers.