Success Stories
Real Children, Real Transformations
Names have been changed to protect privacy, but every story you’ll read here is real.
These children — and their families — are living proof that with the right support, struggling readers can become confident, capable learners who actually enjoy reading again.
Emma’s Story: From Hiding Books to Bedtime Stories
The Struggle:
Emma was a bright second grader who loved art and had amazing ideas, but reading made her cry. She would hide her books and refuse to read aloud. Her parents felt helpless watching her confidence disappear.
The Journey:
When Emma started tutoring, she could barely read simple three-letter words. Using the Barton Reading & Spelling System, we focused on small, steady wins. She loved the colored tiles and how we “built” words together by hand.
The Transformation:
Six months later, Emma asked her mom if she could read the bedtime story — and she did. Today, she’s reading short chapter books and writing her own stories about princesses and dragons.
“Mrs. Cosentino didn’t just teach Emma to read — she gave her back her smile. Emma went from hiding books to asking for bedtime stories again.”
— Jennifer M., Emma’s mom
Jake’s Story: From Legos to Literature
The Struggle:
Jake was a brilliant third grader who could build anything out of Legos, but he couldn’t read the word cat. He started believing he was “stupid.” Reading time meant tears and frustration for the whole family.
The Journey:
His parents had tried several reading programs before finding the Barton System. We discovered that Jake learns best through hands-on activities and movement, so we turned reading into something active and fun.
The Transformation:
After eight months of consistent tutoring, Jake was reading chapter books and proudly volunteering to read aloud in class. One day, he told his mom, “I’m not dumb — I just learn different!”
“Jake went from thinking he was stupid to understanding he’s brilliant — he just needed the right teacher to show him how his brain works.”
— Carol T., Jake’s mom
Sophia’s Story: From “I Can’t” to “I Can Write!”
The Struggle:
Sophia was a sweet second grader who often said she was “stupid” (her word, not mine). She would shut down whenever a book appeared, convinced reading just wasn’t for her.
The Journey:
Our first few sessions focused on rebuilding trust and confidence. We started simple — letter sounds, rhymes, word games — and celebrated every small success. Slowly, Sophia began to relax and even laugh during sessions.
The Transformation:
Now she writes short stories of her own and can’t wait to share them. Her latest one was about a brave princess who wasn’t afraid of anything — especially reading.
“Watching Sophia rediscover her love of learning has been incredible. She went from ‘I can’t’ to ‘Look what I can do!’ in just a few months.”
— Maria S., Sophia’s mom
Marcus’s Story: From Refusing to Try to Future Author
The Struggle:
Marcus was a fifth grader who’d given up on reading altogether. Years of frustration had turned into resistance — he refused to try because failing hurt too much. His parents worried about his confidence and future.
The Journey:
We moved slowly at first, focusing on what interested him most — dragons, fantasy stories, and creative writing. As he saw success with each session, his confidence started to grow.
The Transformation:
Marcus just finished his first fantasy novel — over 200 pages long — and proudly told his dad, “I’m not afraid of books anymore.”
“Marcus went from refusing to even look at books to finishing a 200-page novel. More than that, he believes in himself again.”
— Robert D., Marcus’s dad
Your Child’s Success Story Starts Here
Every child’s path is different, but they all share one truth:
With the right support, patience, and encouragement, they can thrive.
If your child is struggling, let’s talk about how we can help them rediscover the joy of reading.
