Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen by Kate McGovern
Published by Candlewick Press on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 1536215589
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads

What would happen if the secret that you can not read is uncovered? In “Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen” our lead character Maple learns that she is being held back. She will spend another year with her fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Littleton-Chan, the observant young teacher who had Maple tested. Not only ashamed of the label “dyslexic” Maple also can’t move up to the sixth-grade floor with her best friends Aislinn and Marigold. Her panicked reaction to the situation leads to a web of lies that Maple finds herself entangled in.

This book deals with the stigma and real feelings dyslexic students may find themselves in. Also, Maple’s loving, multi-ethnic, family reflects the support and compassion any child would cherish. Even though the story can be a bit “clunky” at times and the ending is a bit rushed, “Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen” addresses an important topic and would benefit any library collection.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library