The Boy Who Learned Upside Down

Red correction marks covered Alex's book report like chickenpox. Letters turned cartwheels across the page when he tried to read. No wonder Alex was ready to give up! But with help from his special education teacher and loyal dog Shadow, Alex changed his mind about school—and about himself. The Boy Who Learned Upside Down is based on the true story of one child's journey from "I can't!" to "I can!" that has  inspired thousands of other children with learning challenges to persevere.

Christy Scattarella, the author, had no idea what her young son was going through. She knew Alex had learning disabilities, but she didn't realize how hard school was for him or how discouraged he had become. Then one day, Alex confided in his mom and together they set out to make school more rewarding for him and for other children who were struggling. Christy started a program, The Shadow Project, that Alex named after his dog. Today, Alex is a college graduate and continues to help The Shadow Project.

Winky Wheeler of Portland, OR Winky Wheeler began drawing before she was two. In the sixth grade the children were asked what they thought they would be in the year 2000. Winky's first thought was that she would be very, very old. But she also knew she would be an artist. Today her whimsical, vivid watercolors are internationally distributed on fabric design, puzzles, flags, ornaments, posters and greeting cards. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts and a native New Yorker, she now lives in Portland, Oregon.

Christy Scattarella Christy Scattarella has been honored locally and nationally for helping children with learning disabilities to discover their potential. She is the recipient of Portland, Oregon's Making a Difference in Education Award, was named Education Citizen of the Year by the Oregon Education Association, and was chosen as one of Nabisco's 100 Extraordinary Women. She was a reporter at The Seattle Times and Willamette Week, and has worked on documentaries that for The History Channel.