In a world where so many students are labeled, this little girl is "special", as in special ed. Though noone believes she can do it, she wants to write a book, it is her deep desire to show everyone that she is special, just not in the way they see her. This is an inspirational read that is told as if it were a true-life-story. By the end you'll figure out how special Sahara is, and that she did write her book... and you are reading it. The storyline is fantastic, inspirational, and breaks the stereotype of "special ed".
Sahara Special
(2003, Fiction - School, Written by Esme Codell)Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it's educational |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
Have you read it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Touching and Inspirational.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Educational
sharaspecail
its the best book ever its so funny with darrell in it
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
An impressive offering
I was offered this as a choice to use for a book review assignment for a diversity class. I found the book to be a strong voice for students that often go unheard. It offers inspiration for the young reader and insight for those of us that are a bit older. It reminds us that kids' lives are as complex as our own and that each child needs that consideration. I highly recommend this book.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Boring, but ok
I thought this book seemed exciting when I first heard about it but after the first few chapters I wanted to put it down because it was boring and went too slow. However, it has a good moral. I reccomend it for anyone over the 4th grade because of swear words.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Okay
i read this book in school, and i saw the words a**, b**** twice. i didn't believe it.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
The story of a sad and happy girl
i think i really liked this book but it was type boring and had way too much detail this book takes place in Chicago in several different places the main character is Sahara.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
An amazing, touching book
This book was just amazing. I had a clear picture of what was going on during the story. I felt like I was the one dealing with Sahara's problems, instead of her. I too, had a stong love for Miss. Pointy, and my heart also reached out to Daryl! A must read for anyone 9 and up!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
a great book (so far)
I am currently reading Sahara Special and I think it's awsome!I am in the 6th grade and it's a great book!I'm doing a report on it!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I actually JUST (literally) finished this book!
Oh this was a GREAT book. It is somewhat sad, and at times I did want to sniffle. (I know, I know, lol) Its about Sahara, a girl who is put into Special Ed and writes letters to her missing dad and never does her schoolwork. Her mom pulls her out of Special Ed (My little brother is autistic in Special Ed) and she is held back. There is a new teacher, Miss Poitier, (Pwah-Tee-Ay) but Sahara calls her Miss Pointy. The book is a book with a book, and Sahara is the one writing. It inspired me. To start writing a book!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Read it its awesome
this book was awesome i thought it was amzing and so does my class i think this would be good for people 9 and up beacuse it was a great book im sooo speechless that i couldnt say how GREAT IT WASS OMG!!! IT WAS great!!!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
very good book...
I loved this book! Somethings I didn't understand like the end about the girl walking around and going by the playground and the trees talking to her was a thing I didn't understand. I thought Sahara is funny and has a heart of gold. The language suprised me. I couldn't beleive it was in my school library! ( I'm in elementary school, my school accepts grades K-6th Grade) Still, it is an AWESOME book and I would love to read it again.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Made Me Think
I really wanted to know just how Sahara and Darrell would get through the 5th grade the second time. I laughed with them and felt every emotion they felt.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
a good book but a weard ending
this book starts out really good but the ending is weard i didnt understand it it seems like the book needs to go on......
