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Sahara Special
- By Esme Raji Codell
- Genre: School
Common Sense Media says
A lovely, moving book about a student and teacher.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there's nothing of concern but plenty to talk about in this story of a girl who gets much-needed help from an unconventional teacher.
What's the story?
Sahara loves to read and is a gifted writer. But after her father leaves, her letters to him end up in the school counselor's file, and she is placed in Special Needs. Sahara stops doing schoolwork ("I was through giving them evidence. They wouldn't get anything more out of me."). When she continues to do no work, and her mother pulls her out of the Special Needs program, she has to repeat fifth grade.
There she meets the new teacher, Madame Poitier, called Miss Pointy, who's not like any teacher she's ever met. She behaves outrageously, is contemptuous of school rules and bureaucracy, and teaches subjects such as Puzzling and Time Travel. And when she finds out that Sahara wants to be a writer, she has only one thing to say: "A writer writes."
Is it any good?
Esmé 'aji Codell's first novel for children is not a new story: Unconventional Teacher Bucks Authority, Changes Students' Lives. But Codell's lyrical take on it is sharply observed and poignantly funny. This is a lovely, moving book.
Miss Pointy is front and center here, but Sahara's sharp voice crackles across the page as compellingly as Miss Pointy's antics. Sahara is one of those children who doesn't say much but who thinks a lot, and who notices everything. Her sometimes caustic observations are penetrating, and her writing talent is powerful, as revealed in a climax as satisfying as the end of one of Andrew Clements' books. Codell knows children and teachers, and the little graces of writing -- the rhythms, metaphors, insights, and turns of phrase that turn a story into a song.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Miss Pointy's unconventional style, Sahara's way of dealing with her problems, the rather negative view of school counselors and special education teachers, and lots more. Because there's so much to talk about, this would be a great book for school and parent/child literature groups.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
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!
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AGE
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!!!!!!
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AGE
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.
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April 9, 2008
AGE
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.
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AGE
Okay
i read this book in school, and i saw the words a**, b**** twice. i didn't believe it.
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AGE
this book is good for ages 9 and up
Sahara Special is one of the best books i have read this year. I would recommend this book.
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AGE
Best children's book!
This is one of the best children's books I have read in my life. It is so cleverly written and I think every parent, teacher and child should read it. It made me laugh, and think at the same time. I am an aide in Special Education and it forced me to think from the child's point of view and get into how the children who are in that position feel. I absolutely recommend this book to EVERYONE!
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AGE
Touching and Inspirational.
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".
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| Author: | Esme Raji Codell |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | School |
| Publisher: | Hyperion Books for Children |
| Publication date: | November 30, 2003 |
| Number of pages: | 175 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 12 |
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