Book Review: My Name is Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt

My Name is Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt is a touching, insightful novel that follows Brian, a sixth grader who struggles with reading, as he comes to understand his dyslexia and discovers strategies to learn. While searching for books to share with my own dyslexic children, I came across this story, and it quickly became one I recommend to other parents. It captures the academic struggle and the social struggle of a dyslexic child with real authenticity, and it does so in a way that leaves children hopeful.

What is My Name is Brain Brian about?

My Name is Brain Brian follows Brian, a sixth grader who struggles with reading. He and his friends form the Joker’s Club, a group that thrives on pranks and jokes. As their antics spiral out of control, Brian is forced to rethink who his real friends are. At the same time, he is battling his own academic challenges, trying to hide his struggles from both his peers and his parents.

With determination—and the support of his new teacher, Mr. Bingham—Brian begins to understand his dyslexia and discovers strategies to improve his reading and learning. His journey is an inspiring testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of perseverance.

Who is this book for?

This is a chapter book, just over 100 pages, written for upper-elementary and middle-grade readers. It speaks directly to a child who has felt the same fear Brian feels: the worry of being found out, the effort of hiding a struggle, and the relief of finally being understood. If your child sees themselves in Brian, this story can be a quiet reassurance that they are not alone.

• Children who struggle with reading and want a character who gets it.
• Parents looking for a story to read aloud and discuss together.
• Families beginning to talk openly about a dyslexia diagnosis.

Because the book runs over 100 pages, it may be challenging for a young dyslexic reader to tackle alone. That is not a drawback so much as an invitation—it makes a wonderful read-aloud for parents and children to share together. If you are building a home library, you may also like our roundup of books for kids with dyslexia.

How does the book handle friendship?

One of the things I most appreciate is that Jeanne Betancourt does not flatten Brian’s world into a single problem. Alongside his academic challenges, the book follows the unraveling of the Joker’s Club and the hard question that comes with it: who are his real friends? The book doesn’t shy away from the tough reality that some friendships may not be genuine, yet it presents these issues in an age-appropriate and hopeful way.

A good middle-grade novel lets a child rehearse difficult feelings at a safe distance, through a character instead of in the heat of their own life. That is exactly what this story offers. A child reading about Brian’s friendships can think through their own without feeling cornered.

Why does this story matter for a dyslexic child?

Brian spends much of the book trying to hide his struggles from his peers and parents—a feeling many dyslexic children know well. Watching him move from hiding to understanding, with a teacher who believes in him, gives young readers a model of what self-advocacy can look like. It also gently reminds them that dyslexia is something to understand and work with, not something to be ashamed of.

Stories like this pair well with the everyday work of building a reader’s confidence. A child who feels seen is a child who is more willing to keep practicing, and structured, explicit instruction—the kind grounded in Orton-Gillingham and the Science of Reading—is what actually builds the skills. For more on protecting a child’s sense of self through the hard parts, see our piece on dyslexia and self-esteem.

How can parents use this book at home?

This is a book to share, not assign. Reading it aloud lets you carry the decoding load while your child takes in the story, and it gives you natural openings to talk about what Brian is going through. A few simple ways to make the most of it:

• Read a chapter together at bedtime and pause where Brian faces a hard choice.
• Ask your child whether they have ever felt the way Brian feels.
• Use Mr. Bingham’s support as a doorway to talk about who helps your child at school.
• Celebrate Brian’s small wins out loud—they mirror the ones your child is earning.

If your child enjoys the conversations this book sparks, you can keep that momentum going with explicit, multisensory practice. Our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum and the companion workbook on Amazon give parents with no teaching background a structured way to support reading at home. And for guidance on opening up the diagnosis itself, our guide on talking about dyslexia with your child pairs naturally with Brian’s story.

Overall, My Name is Brain Brian is a heartfelt and relatable story that I highly recommend for parents and their dyslexic children. It’s a book that not only fosters understanding of dyslexia but also encourages important conversations about perseverance, self-advocacy, and the value of true friendship.