Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly

 

1. The title of the story, Fish in a Tree, reflects Albert Einstein’s quotation: “Everybody is a genius. But if you
judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” What is your
interpretation of this quote? How do you think it relates to Ally’s life?
2. How would you describe Ally as a person in the first few chapters of the book? What about the final few
chapters? Has she changed significantly? Are there any experiences or episodes during the story that you
think had a particular effect on her? If so, how?
3. Discuss the friendship between Ally, Albert, and Keisha. How does their friendship benefit each one of
them?
4. What role does Mr. Daniels play in Ally’s development during the story? How is he different from her
previous teachers in his approach to teaching and how does this transform Ally’s understandings of herself as
a learner? Share specific examples of things he does to encourage and motivate her?
5. Read more about author Lynda Mullaly Hunt and why she wrote this story
https://www.lyndamullalyhunt.com/for-teachers/. Why is this book so important to her? How might others with
dyslexia feel about the book/react to it?
6. What did you think of this novel? Was it enlightening for you as an adult? Do you think it will help impact how
middle school students grow up thinking about individuals with disabilities? Do you think middle school is too
late, too early, just the right time to introduce this topic?

Sample Solution

Twimble announced Finch as his choice to head the mailroom, however the book warns not to stay in the mailroom too long. Finch recommends Frump for the promotion instead of himself, for the good of the company. Twimble is reluctant to promote Frump because of his laziness, but Frump promises to be a good employee (“The Company Way (Reprise)”). Twimble and Bratt are both impressed by Finch’s selfless decision, and Bratt offers him a job as a junior executive in the Plans and Systems department, headed by Mr. Gatch, much to Frump’s dismay.

An extremely attractive but air-headed woman named Hedy LaRue, Mr. Biggley’s secret mistress, is hired as a secretary. Her entrance attracts the attention of all the men in the office, prompting Bratt to explain the office policy on flirting (“A Secretary is Not a Toy”). Finch learns from Mr. Biggley’s secretary, Miss Jones, that Biggley is a proud graduate of Old Ivy college. In the elevator at the end of the day, Rosemary’s fellow secretary Smitty helps her and Finch set up a date (“Been A Long Day”). After they leave, Frump runs into Biggley and Hedy and realises the nature of their relationship. He blackmails Biggley into giving him a promotion, by threatening to tell his mother (“Been A Long Day (Reprise)”).

Finch arrives early Saturday morning and sets up the office so it looks like he has been working all night, knowing that Biggley is coming in to the office soon. Finch convinces Biggley that he is also a proud alumnus of Old Ivy and they sing the Old Ivy fight song (“Grand Old Ivy”). Biggley demands that Finch be given his own office and secretary, and Bratt assigns Hedy to him. With the book’s help, Finch realises that Biggley must be Hedy’s advocate and sends her on an errand to Gatch, well aware that Gatch will make a pass at her. Gatch falls for the trap and is sent to Venezuela, and Finch is promoted to his position as head of Plans and Systems.

At a reception for the new Advertising Department head,

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