To Read or Not to Read

Winner of the 1999 Margot Marek Book Award, which is given by the New York Branch of the International Dyslexia Association for "the best book, fiction or nonfiction, written for parents and their children that will further their understanding of learning disabilities." Dyslexia is a disorder that affects over 15 percent of the American population -- almost everyone knows someone who has it. Broadly defined as some kind of difficulty with the written word, whether learning to read or learning to write, dyslexia is still widely misunderstood. Now, with "To Read or Not to Read, " author Daphne M. Hurford gives us the first comprehensive book to address the complexities of dyslexia in an open and thoughtful format. In ten easy-to-follow chapters, Hurford explains what it is like to live with dyslexia through stories of well-known dyslexics (including Winston Churchill and Nelson Rockefeller) as well as her own students, and shows how to tailor educational programs to meet individual needs. She also explores what can be done to help dyslexics by evaluating the different educational programs and teaching methods available, and she provides a detailed list of reliable institutions that work with dyslexics and their families. Written with a deep sense of compassion and understanding, "To Read or Not to Read" is a welcome resource for anyone who knows the experience of living and learning with dyslexia.