Book Review: Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, or Does It?

If you’re looking for a fun and relatable chapter book for a young dyslexic reader, “Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, or Does It?” by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver is a fantastic choice. It’s the first book in the Hank Zipzer series, and it introduces a hero who learns differently—something many of our kids rarely get to see on the page.

What is “Niagara Falls, or Does It?” about?

This is the first book in the Hank Zipzer series. When Hank’s teacher assigns a personal narrative, he feels stuck—he struggles to get his ideas onto paper. Instead of giving up, though, Hank takes a different path. He uses his creativity and turns the assignment into a hilarious classroom presentation, and his classmates and teacher are surprised and entertained.

Throughout the story, readers follow Hank’s school adventures. They see his daily challenges and small victories. These moments feel real—especially for students with dyslexia. The story blends humor, heart, and honesty in a way that kids can understand and enjoy.

Who is Hank Zipzer?

Hank is a bright and imaginative student who also happens to be dyslexic. From the start, his humor and creativity make him a lovable and engaging character. Hank is the kind of hero who solves problems sideways—with imagination instead of brute force. For a child who has felt like the one who “just doesn’t get it” at school, meeting a main character who thinks the way they do can be quietly powerful.

The Hank Zipzer series was written with dyslexic readers in mind, and it shows. Co-author Henry Winkler is himself dyslexic, and that lived experience comes through in how honestly Hank’s struggles—and his strengths—are portrayed.

Why do we recommend this book?

This book is a great pick for elementary-aged kids. It features a character they can relate to and a story full of fun and warmth. Best of all, the chapters are manageable and the stories are engaging from start to finish—an important combination for a reader who is still building stamina and confidence.

• A relatable, dyslexic main character kids can root for
• Short, manageable chapters that don’t overwhelm
• Humor and heart that make reading feel like fun, not work
• An honest look at school challenges and small victories

As a parent, I truly enjoyed reading this book with my children. We laughed out loud, rooted for Hank, and talked about what it means to learn in different ways. Because of that experience, I highly recommend this book to families, educators, and tutors—especially those supporting children with dyslexia. If you want more ideas, see our roundup of books for kids with dyslexia.

How can parents read it with a dyslexic child?

A book like this works beautifully as a shared experience rather than a solo reading assignment. Reading aloud, taking turns, or pairing the print book with an audio version all take the pressure off decoding so your child can simply enjoy the story. The goal is to build a love of books, not to test reading.

• Read it together as a bedtime or after-school read-aloud.
• Trade off—you read a page, your child reads a line they feel ready for.
• Pause to talk about Hank’s feelings and choices, and connect them to your child’s own school days.
• Celebrate Hank’s creativity as a strength, not a workaround.

Stories build motivation; structured instruction builds the skills. The two work hand in hand. At Apricot Tree Academy, we believe every student deserves to succeed, which is why we use an evidence-based, multisensory structured literacy approach grounded in the Science of Reading. If your child is ready for direct, systematic reading support, our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum gives parents and tutors a step-by-step path—and you can find the companion workbook on Amazon. For more recommendations, our reviews of Here’s Hank and Being Henry are good next stops.