Why do so many children have such a hard time learning to read? What is at stake for them? Who can help them? This revealing documentary makes the important connection between early trouble with reading and serious behavioral problems in the classroom. The film looks into the lives of four schoolchildren who struggle to read while their classmates progress to higher levels of achievement.

We discover their shame, frustration and coping strategies as a pattern emerges stemming from reading problems. Their home lives reveal common obstacles to learning: language barriers, social status, emotional problems and sensory deficiencies. Arturo, a rowdy seven-year-old, brings his teacher's reading lesson to a grinding halt. At recess, Melody, a fourth grader who reads at a first grade levels, shoves classmates half her size. Sparring in a boxing gym, Hakeem, sixteen, recounts his expulsion from school for aggressiveness and truancy.

The film shows that a tutoring program can dramatically improve reading skills. Hakeem describes his progress from fourth grade level to tenth after three years of tutoring. Unfortunately, more children need help than is available.

American Psychological Association, 2004

Urbanworld Film Festival, 2004