Today, Irene Daria is a cognitive developmental psychologist and reading tutor to the stars. At the time of this story, she was a graduate student and “just” a mom thrilled that her son had been accepted to one of the most esteemed schools in Manhattan. Sure that he was on the path to a venerable education, she did not listen when her 5-year-old told her his school—like tens of thousands of others all across the country—was not teaching him to read. 

An entire, very painful school year passed before Eric got her to realize he was right. Follow along as Daria begins a perplexing but ultimately empowering journey to save his academic life. She finds herself pitted against well-intentioned teachers and administrators, people she would have loved to trust if only they weren’t so misinformed. The more Daria tries to get the school to see it is teaching reading all wrong, the more the school insists there is something wrong with her child and not with its teaching.

Although I Didn't Believe Him is about a disturbing topic, it is a joy to read. Its pages overflow with the tenderness and love a mother has for her child and the trust a child has that his mother will make everything right. In addition to sharing her personal story, Daria takes you behind closed doors at a top-rated school to witness how flawed teaching methods are causing millions of kids to struggle with reading. You will see how a child's struggles in school affect the entire family. In an entertaining who-dun-it way, you will learn about the horrifying history of reading instruction in our country and the absurd way reading is currently being taught in many schools.

In the end, simply by going on this life-altering journey with Daria and her son, you will learn how to teach a child to read and be empowered to set any child on the path to becoming a proficient reader.