BUZZ ABOUT THE BOOKS
"As an Academic Language Therapist specializing in teaching children with dyslexia to read, write, and spell, these books will be helpful, inspiring and educational. I hope they will become required reading for all students."
Geraldine "Tincy" Miller
Member of Texas Board of Education, District 12, since 1984
Former Chair 2007
"'You never know a person until you walk in his shoes.' Atticus Finch told Scout, his daughter, in To Kill a Mockingbird. In this era of virtual reality technology promising a plethora of 'experiences', Ramona Tipton's Backwards Series refreshes with vibrancy and vitality. Tipton provides an empathetic slice of dyslexic experience while the reader is engrossed in compelling literature.
"Bravo! As an educator, I endorse with applause Tipton's debut of her unique window, the Backwards Series.”
Barbara Wisener, Ed.D.
French Teacher
English as a Second Language Specialist and Coordinator
Highland Park Independent School District
Dallas, Texas
“Ramona Tipton's Backwards Series is a trilogy of The Glass Tears, Mystic Pool and Curse of the Stolen Cross. These novels acknowledge the challenges that different learners face in life while it introduces others to those difficulties when they have to read her novels from back to front. The books spans three generations of young men from Texas, who have adventures, solve mysteries and have fun growing up with the help of their friends, family and God. When the boys encounter a problem large or small, they have the confidence to face it head on. It doesn't matter if it is defending their tree house from hooligans or struggling for survival on a deserted island. These young men are ready for the challenges they face. Are you?”
Cheryle M. Greene
Library Media Specialist
John F. K
“Ramona Tipton writes children's books with a unique backwards format featuring children with learning differences. These books read backwards to forwards forcing the reader to empathize with the reading struggle many dyslexics face. She is dedicated to changing the way people view children with learning differences and to presenting strong character role models for all children.”
Abby Harrison
North Garland High School Librarian
“The Backwards Series: The concept is fresh, creative, and demonstrates the difficulty dyslexic readers experience on a daily basis. It is a new and interesting way to increase awareness to a long standing learning difference in a way that everyone can understand. And they are also fun and entertaining. As the parent of a learning disabled child, I find these books to be of real value to the target audience, and anyone else interested in knowing more about how hard it is for kids to learn to read when they have problems.”
Christine Hughes
Special Education Teacher
“In the Backward Series Ramona Tipton places a much needed magnifying glass over our understanding of 'learning disabilities.' Her storyline is full of imagination, life, and excitement. You live with the characters through each episode and find yourself saying, 'Ramona, keep them coming!'”
Eleanor Briley
Conference Speaker
“Ramona Tipton's creativity is multifaceted! One of her greatest strengths is telling a good story and her concept of writing this series of books to be read from back to front is unique. 'She held out for this format because of the widely held misconception that dyslexics see things backwards and face multiple challenges when reading.' Middle to upper elementary age children through adults will delight in the stories and the whole gimmick of reading from back to front will engage many readers who are reluctant to read in the usual manner. In addition, the fact that the characters, many of whom are learning disabled in one way or another, enjoy fun and adventure with a close corp of friends should reassure readers who relate to them that they can have 'normal' lives while feeling less than 'normal' much of the time. The proof is in the pudding she is receiving a lot of interest from librarians, teachers and their students who have read them!”
K. Shada
Med., Literacy Facilitator
“The power of print can be awe inspiring and moving - as was this book. For a great majority reading gives us great pleasure and relaxation. Yet for many others laboriously wading through printed text is a daunting task. Reading this book backwards was distracting - not "normal." When the witch wrote her notes, the words were misspelled and took great focus to read. As a teacher of children with learning disabilities this book provided me with an insightful realization of what my students face on a daily basis. For those with dyslexia, reading and writing requires intense concentration and effort, and in the end the result is much too often deemed as a failure of their intellectual ability. These books are entertaining and should be read by students, teachers, and families of children with dyslexic tendencies. A walk in the shoes of these children will guide you on a path of deeper understanding. Their struggle is print, not intelligence.”
Catherine Ann Smith
Special Education Resource Teacher
