Margaret Rooke – författare

23 very well-known people from the arts, sport, and business worlds talk about how dyslexia affected their childhood, how they were able to overcome the challenges and use the special strengths of dyslexia to achieve great success in adulthood. Darcey Bussell CBE, Eddie Izzard, Sir Richard Branson, Meg Mathews, Zoe Wanamaker CBE, Richard Rogers, Benjamin Zephaniah, Steven Naismith, Lynda La Plante CBE, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Sophie Conran and others share their stories, and their advice.All reveal the enormous difficulties they faced, the strength required to overcome them, the crucial importance of adult support, and how `the different way the brain is wired' in dyslexia has enabled them to see something different in the world and to use their creativity in an exceptional way. They talk about `thinking sideways', and the ability to look at a bigger picture, the often strong visual strength, and the ability to listen, and to grasp simplicity where other people see only complexity. They also talk about how dyslexia continues to challenge them, and the ways they have found to work around this. An introduction, and final section that includes practical information about dyslexia, are written with the support of Dyslexia Action, and a percentage of profit from the book is going to The British Dyslexia Association. The book will be essential reading for teachers and other professionals, and for families affected by dyslexia, and inspirational for people with dyslexia.

In more than 100 interviews, children and young adults reveal their personal tips and tactics for honing the creative benefits of dyslexia, enabling them to thrive in school and beyond. Strategies include ways to develop confidence and self-belief. The contributors have outlined specific approaches they feel have helped them, and others that haven't. The book contains stunning illustrations by 8-18 year olds with dyslexia.The first-hand accounts are inspiring in the way they normalise dyslexia and reveal the many success stories. There is an additional section for professionals who work in education or special learning environments, with advice given by school students themselves.

**Joint Gold Winner of the Moonbeam Multicultural Non-Fiction Award 2019**This inspirational book tells the stories of more than 50 of today's teenagers who've dared to change the world they live in. It's been written to show other teens they can do the same. Bestselling author Margaret Rooke asks teens about their experiences of being volunteers, social entrepreneurs and campaigners, online and beyond. They explain how they have survived in a world often obsessed by celebrity, social media and appearance, by refusing to conform to other's expectations. If you want to achieve against the odds and create genuine impact, this book may be the encouragement you need. The interviews cover race, sexuality, violence, grief, neurodiversity, bullying and other issues central to life today.Read about teens from around the world including- Trisha, 18, who has invented a way of preventing bullying online- Dillon, 18, who takes damaged and donated clothing and upcycles it for the homeless - Guro, 13, who persuaded a pop band to portray women differently in its video- 'Happy D', 19, who learned to read at 14 and found ways to build his confidence- Heraa, 19, who fights Islamophobia online.- Ruben, 18, bullied because of Down's Syndrome, now a successful actor- Lucy who, at 14, walked into Tesco head office and persuaded them not to sell eggs from caged hens.- Cameron, 17, who has cerebral palsy and was side-lined by soccer teams who set up his own team 'Adversity United'- Alex, 18, who broke his back on his 15th birthday and says his injury has taught him to care for others- Amika, 18, who fights 'Period Poverty'- Jesse, 15, who's seven feet tall and embraces his stature- Billy, 18, who wore full make up every day at high school

Welcome to Different Like Us!, the book that explores how being different helps shape our world.Sharing the stories of more than 40 children from across the globe, this book celebrates their strength and joys, without shying away from the tough stuff that's part of the package. Reading their words will help you identify your own strengths and work out how your unique qualities and experiences can drive you forwards.Along the way you will meet· Cora, aged 10, whose painful medical condition has led to a special bravery that has shaped her life.· Afua, aged 14, who has sickle cell, and explains how she came to accept her condition. She talks about the tips and tricks she uses to stay positive.· Jensen, aged 10, who has hearing loss and has taught his school sign language.· Kais, aged 9, who escaped from two wars, and has grown to see his new friends as a second family.· Aidan, aged 13, who talks about dealing with the grief of losing his father.Plus others who have been bullied, who stammer, who have sight loss, who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette's or epilepsy, who have parents in prison, and many more.

"The stories told in this book show how foolish we are if we underestimate this creative and powerful dyslexic generation"When you're dyslexic, life at school can feel like a daily grind. In this book, around 40 dyslexic young people from across the globe, who have been where you are now, explain how they've made life beyond the school gates work for them. This is a book to reassure you and open up possibilities for the years ahead.Funny, fascinating, and brimming with the ups and downs of adult life, each interview explores strategies that have helped deal with challenges they've faced. They offer top tips for harnessing your strengths and working out the path that's right for you. Most of all they show that no matter how difficult life can feel now, there truly are choices when you leave high school that can take you to a future you might never have dreamed of.Packed with personal stories, illustrations from young dyslexic illustrators, and helpful insights from bestselling dyslexia author, Margaret Rooke, you'll have everything you need to prepare for the journey ahead.