Mortimer Frog

I have basically the same experiences. In first grade we were reading this book called Mortimer Frog. This was the only book i remember because i hated it soo much. Everyday we would have to read it aloud and do work in the workbook that went along with the book. When it came to my turn to read i was terrified. I am one of those people with a good memory and i just memorized words instead of learning to read them, and I never understood the pronunciation charts so when it came to a word i didnt know i couldnt read it. It probably wasnt until a grade or two later when we started looking up dictionary words that i actually learned to read the right way. I still dont really know all the pronunciation symbols and stuff but by learning more and more words i figured out how to say most words now.