Sahara Special

See Larger Image	List Price: $5.99 Our Price: $5.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer: Hyperion Book CH Written By: Esme Raji Codell Average Customer Rating:


Binding: Paperback EAN: 9780786816118 ISBN: 0786816112 Label: Hyperion Book CH Manufacturer: Hyperion Book CH Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 192 Publication Date: 2004-09-01 Publisher: Hyperion Book CH Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Release Date: 2004-08-30 Studio: Hyperion Book CH
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Editorial Reviews: Sahara Jones is going into fifth grade-again. Although she won't be "Sahara Special" anymore (special needs, that is), she doesn't expect this year to be any better than last year. Fifth grade is going to be different, though, because Sahara's class is getting a new teacher: Miss Pointy. From her eggplant-colored lipstick to the strange subjects she teaches, like "Puzzling" and "Time Travel," she is like no other teacher Sahara has ever known. With Miss Pointy's help, Sahara just might find a way to redefine special for herself. The latest chapter in her book unfolds when her mother insists that she be taken out of special Ed. So Sahara is facing fifth grade in the regular classroom, again. But why even try to do the work, Sahara wonders, if everything just winds up in the counselor's file? Enter Miss Pointy, the new fifth-grade teacher. With her eggplant-colored lipstick, and strange subjects such as "Puzzling" and "Time Travel," she's like no other teacher Sahara has ever known. Through Miss Pointy's unusual teaching, storytelling, and quiet support, Sahara finds the courage to overcome her fears and prove which file shows her true self.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Testament to any student who is not quite fitting in Comment: Wow! I can't even remember why I bought this book in the first place, but I think I had something like a good vibe that proved to be very much correct. This is about a girl going through a rather awkward time. Though she is brilliant, her behavior and ability in school put her into a resource program that earns an sadly unfortunate nickname. It's about her world and her relationship with the people around her. As a teacher, I am reminded of how students think and that they are still children that have thoughts, feelings, and ideas. The writing is sassy and brilliant, and the story is subtle and touching. Simply amazing. Customer Rating: Summary: Grandchild's assigned summer homework Comment: This book was an assigned summer reading project for sixth graders in a NYC school. Although I didn't read it, my granddaughter, who does not list reading as a favorite pasttime, enjoyed it. Customer Rating: Summary: Destined to become a classic! Comment: I am an avid reader and I originally picked this one up at the library under "new releases". After growing up with "Ramona" as well as "Harriet the Spy" I thoroughly enjoyed "Saharah Special". I could easily relate to her (having had troubles in school when I was her age,) and being a writer myself. I loved her new teacher, who just had a way with kids. I found myself drawn into this story and into Saharah's life so well, I was actually disappointed to have it end. Bravo to Esme, I hope you write more about Saharah! Customer Rating: Summary: Sahara Special= entertainment in an educational form Comment: The genre of this book overall would be realistic fiction. The book was amazing in the aspects of being realistic and a story you could relate to. I imagine that someone, or more than one person, for that matter, has gone through what Sahara has! It is fiction, all the while, but remains very realistic and interesting to read. The theme of this book was about Sahara, a girl who has, no doubt, had to endure many difficulties. She is not exactly popular, and may be taunted by quite a few peers. She was not a perfect example to anyone, but she was a realistic one. The setting was in Chicago, Illinois. It was in a little school, just like many others, where the students seemed to be entertained by anything out of the ordinary. (This was quite a few things, it was a very dull place.) One day, in walks a new 5th grade teacher. She is wildly dressed and has a french name. I imagine, after everything they had seen in the school, the students were bewildered, Sahara included. I think that the teacher, Madame Poitier liked to stand out from the crowd and help people find themselves over all they are trying to be. She tried helping Sahara, which carries her through a magical, inventive journey. Does Sahara want to be an author or not? She must search within herself to find out. I do not think I did not enjoy any of it. It was a laugh a little, cry a little kind of book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Customer Rating: Summary: The trial and triumph of Sahara Comment: "Sahara Special" is a novel of deep meaning and life lessons of hope. The time period is current day and takes place at a public school on the west side of Chicago. The story tells of triumph over tragedy. Sahara grieves constantly over the fact that her father has left never to return. She does poorly in school and has a file in the school office loaded with negative information. Although her mother knows she reads book after book, no one else really knows that she also writes beautifully. Sahara is failed and repeats fifth grade. In the fall a new teacher arrives who is most unusual. Her name is Miss Pointy and she is a little wierd. She insists that they write in their journal every day. Darrell, a special needs child, gives Miss Pointy a hard time, but she continues to work and encourage him as well as the entire class. Sahara wants to believe in herself but feels very discouraged. I cannot tell how the story ends, but the messages are deep and life changing. Some parts of the story made me cry because of the sweet and kind ways that Miss Pointy gave of herself without being obvious. Yes, I would recommend this book because it is uplifting and hopeful. We all benefit from each other's giving and caring ways. More Reviews