Book Review: Sahara Special By Esme Raji Codell

Sahara special is one of my favorite books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this phenomenal book. A 12 year old girl Sahara who lives in a bad Chicago neighborhood, has 2 files. Her counselor keeps one file which is evidence that she is a fifth grader that needs special services and one that she keeps, hidden from everyone, her Heart Wrenching Story and Amazing adventures. Her father abandoned her and her mother when she was in third grade. Her personality has been severely affected by her dad’s move. She spends all her time writing letters to her dad and not focusing on her school work at all. This has caused Sahara to be pulled out in the hallway for a Special Needs program. Everyone calls her Sahara Special because of her special needs class. Things get even worst when her mom intervenes to pull her out of the special needs program and makes her repeat fifth grade. Sahara is very intimidated to be in the class with normal kids. 

             The story takes an interesting twist here. Her new fifth grade teacher turns out to be a blessing in disguise. With the help of Madam Pointy and her sort of weird ways Sahara learns how to bring her true self to life. The last chapter unfolds Sahara proving to everyone that she is not a special kid. Her true self was in her all along, she just did not know how to bring it out. 

          My favorite part in the book is when they read their essay My Name in the class. I liked reading Sahara’s essay. I loved seeing Sahara’s character transforming from a shy and intimidated person to a confident girl who believed in herself.

        I highly recommend this book to kids in grades 3-7. I hope my review is helpful and that I have convinced you enough to read this book.