Hacking the Code - The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid
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Now also available as an Audiobook! Click here.
Check out the FREE Lesson Plan & Activity guide here.
Shenanigans, struggles, strengths, and special friends!
Revealing the heart of an upbeat, boisterous fifth grader working hard to hack the reading code.
Hacking the Code is a fun, friendship-centered story that shows how every brain works differently, and how we all have different strengths.
Kees is good at many things such as science, fixing things, making friends, and pulling pranks. However, because of his dyslexia, he is not so good at spelling and writing! After playing another sly prank on the teachers he ends up having to write an essay about the hardest thing he’s ever done. His friend writes it in no time, but Kees can't get anything on paper. His secret friends group is determined to help him but in the end, it is his grandpa with all his wisdom that helps Kees on its way. Will he be able to pull it off? And how on earth did he, a dyslexic kid, end up winning the highest honor at school?
This relatable, illustrated chapter book, brings to life the journey of a dyslexic kid in a story that highlights perseverance, creativity and, the power of true friendship.
Hacking the Code is available as an audiobook to make it accessible to all types of learners.
Targeted for children ages 6 - 12, adults also cherish the book and everyone learns from the empowering fun-to-read story.
A free Lesson Plan & Activity Guide is downloadable on this website.
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What people say about Hacking the Code - aka reviews!
"Kees is good at science, fixing things with his hands, making friends, drawing, solving other people's problems, and pulling pranks. However, because of his dyslexia, he is terrible at reading, spelling and writing. After playing a prank on the teachers by changing the channel on their tv, he and his friend, Pete, end up having to write an essay about the hardest thing they've ever done. His friend gets it done in no time, but Kees can't think of anything to write. He has two weeks to do it. Can he manage?
Having lived with it myself for so long, I could easily relate to Kees and what he was going through with his dyslexia. I’ve read a lot of books about kids in the story who have dyslexia, but none of them have accurately depicted the emotions one feels of frustration, feeling stupid, being uncomfortable reading out loud, and feeling like you have to hack a code or try harder than everyone else. This one did. Additionally, the author brought to life Kees' friends, making each one unique. Their character dynamics were intriguing. Although to some the principal and teachers may seem underdeveloped, I found them to be realistic of what kids with dyslexia sometimes encounter. There are often well-meaning teachers out there, who, unless they’ve been in Kees' shoes, wouldn’t understand what he was going through in the book. The comparison of the Apple vs Android brains was fun and unique. The illustrations were detailed and added a fun, complementary element to the text. The mix of humor and seriousness was done well and neither overwhelmed the book. I loved the font on this book. It was more bottom heavy on the text, which made it easier to read. The white space arrangement was also helpful. Overall, I’d highly recommend this story to any younger readers who have ever felt frustrated at school or felt different from everyone else. This would also be a great book to read with any kid who has recently found out they’re dyslexic."
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"Our son loved this book and he is hoping it will become a series. He is dyslexic and has not really enjoyed reading. He could not put this book down and finished it in 2 days! He was giggling and laughing while reading - so happy to see him find a book he loved to read. He is now sharing with his other dyslexic friends and those that are not, telling them all to read this book!" - Shannon Mc. 5 stars on Amazon
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"Hacking the Code is a fun story that helps young readers, parents and educators understand that every brain works differently, and how we are all unique. As a teacher and someone who has Dyslexia, I loved how relatable this book was.
This book would be great for teachers and kids to create better understanding of dyslexia and to show kids that they are not alone if they have Dyslexia.” - Nicole Bernstein, 3rd grade teacher Prentice School
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"I know a few kids with dyslexia but I never realized the full extent of their daily struggle until I read Hacking the Code. It's an entertaining story about kids with secret clubs and pranks that everybody will enjoy while explaining more about the non stop battle of the main character dealing with his dyslexia. The creativity of Kees is jumping off the pages but so is his never ending struggle. The ending of the book is very touching and shows that every kid can succeed with the right support. This book is an eye-opener for both kids and adults." - Karin Erich
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"The students really loverd reading the book. When we would transition and I'd let them know we are going to read 'Hacking the Code', they would literally cheer." - Mrs. Hart, 3rd grade teacher, Top of the World Elementary
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"Kees and an appealing cast of characters show readers the learning differences between “Apple and Android” brains in an engaging story of fifth grade challenges and fun pranks. An eye-opening tale of the struggles with dyslexia that promotes insight and compassion. As an educator and a parent, I highly recommend Hacking the Code!" - Jennifer Rincon, Teacher
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"I loved the joy of my son reading the book. He thinks it’s hilarious! He was inspired to create his own ‘friends club’ and even came up with a name for it.” - Belen Guillen, mother of a 3rd grader
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"This is a wonderful book. I - a grown-up and the mother of a dyslexic son - was drawn in straight away and finished it in no time. It is written in easy prose with funny dry humor, appealing to kids and this grown-up. It flows very quickly and because the hero is so likable and realistic, you feel with him and want him to succeed. The high point is the hero's beautiful essay at the end, it could have been written by my son, it so well echoes his situation. And I wish for more teachers like the principal, who awarded Kees for his feedback, because when the system doesn’t work for all kids, it is time to adapt the system.
This book would be great for teachers and for other kids to create better understanding for diversity in general and dyslexics specifically. And it is a great book for dyslexic kids to show, that they can be successful and are not alone.” - Katja Rieger, Leadership Consultant and mother of a dyslexic son
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"What I like about Hacking the Code is that it's calling out today's children. The idea of using the "Android" and "Apple" as an example was fascinating. In addition to this, the main character has people who support him, such as his best friend, teacher, school psychologist, family, and grandfather. This depicts how dyslexic children can be strong in other areas when they receive social support from these people.
As a development psychologist, I would recommend Hacking the Code for children who either or not experience dyslexia. “- Deniz Hazal Karabulut, M.A., Developmental Psychologist
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“A must read for young readers and educators. It brings sensitivity and awareness to a learning disability commonly overlooked in young children. This book was a fun read which at my age, 43, was able to transport me to my childhood years in elementary school.
Gea's ingenuity and creativity with each prank executed had me giggling harder each time. The magic of the book lies in the author's ability to tell a kid's story combined with real concrete details about what dyslexia is and how difficult it is for children to cope and excel in a traditional learning system.” - Graciela Avila, Substitute teacher and childcare provider.
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“Hacking the code is an insightful and touching story of a young boy's zigzag way in the education system. The readers meet Kees, the slowest reader in class. The story is an eye-opener with emphasis on learning differences.
Problem-solving coming from; “I see it in my head how to put it together” shows the strengths in creative picture-thinking and how different brains can work together.
This book can be read by all, but for the ones who have felt the struggle at school, it can have a deep impact. To adults it can bring valuable insight and the urge to do more for these creative “code-hackers”.
Read, laugh and wipe some tears of joy. Maybe also some tears off compassion for the tremendous struggle many feel facing the reading and writing monster.
The author lets the readers experience how deep the pain of hacking the code might be. This is all done in a playful tone giving the readers the opportunity to relax and smile.
The illustrations of the book are really capturing the essence of the story in a fun and creative way.”
- Marit Gramstad, Davis Facilitator - Student
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“You will be instantly captured by this book, it gives you a great perspective on what dyslexia involves in a fun way and from a kids experience. The character in the book describes what he feels is happening in his brain with comparing an apple with an android brain, it makes so much sense! It’s a great read for kids to understand dyslexia and for adults to learn from. Love the final tests at the end of the book. The brain sure is a funny organ, and often misunderstood.” - Dr. Kitty Seerden, EMS Helicopter pilot and mother of 2.
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“Marina felt a little discouraged when she first saw the title because she thought it was about coding (not her favorite subject). Needless to say that soon after the first page she found, with relieve, that it was a fictional story. Later on, she realized the reference in the book about Kees “cracking the code” made the title understandable and suitable. Personally I love the title, I think it’s ingenious and smart.
She said your book reminded her a little bit of the Diaries of a Wimpy Kid, which she read when she was 6 years old. Although it’s not her favorite genre or topic, she thinks it might be very well received by younger kids because it’s a story that is easy to follow and quick to read.
Personally I love the camaraderie and friendship between Kees and Pete and the story.
Something we both love, besides the illustrations, are the tests at the end of the book to detect which type of brain the reader has. Great idea! I also like the fact that the book can become an interactive channel with the open invitation to the reader to the “elite virtual Nadmil group” through a hashtag. Fantastic idea!” - Inma Strombom and Marina (11 years)
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“I am a toddler and preschool teacher and your book was eye-opening into the life of a child with dyslexia.
Full with easy to read text and illustrations. It is sad so many children have to struggle through school because the system did not offer an alternative to a standard curriculum, and as a teacher, we know which children are having a hard time and are falling behind.” - Anabell Garcia-Chak, Toddler / Preschool Teacher
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“Such a cleverly written story complemented with engaging illustrations to draw the young reader in. This book does a great job of teaching kids and adults alike about the academic and social challenges that a child with dyslexia is likely to encounter. The reader is transported through a series of difficult school assignments and silly childhood pranks, gaining a deeper understanding of how the main character's mind works. The author saves the best for last, putting the reader in the driver's seat to test their own abilities and solidify the message of this book! “ - Darci Crawford
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"From now on this is my favorite book." - Oliver, 8 years
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“I LOVE it!! The illustrations are fantastic, and you tied all the story lines together.” - Mary Jo Weinfordner
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- Sabrina Yeh