Review of “Sahara Special,” by Esme Raji Codell
“Sahara Special,” by Esme Raji Codell is the story of a fifth grader who is an aspiring writer.
Sahara Jones has two files. One is the school file, which contains the test scores, letters, and notes that took Sahara out of the regular school classroom and put her into a special education class. But Sahara ignores the teasing of other kids and the humiliation she feels because she has another file, hidden behind the books at the local library. This concealed file is about the real Sahara, the Sahara who wants to be a writer when she grows up and is currently compiling her Heart-Wrenching Life History and Amazing Adventures. Sahara adds to the file from time to time, but she always keeps it secret.
When Sahara’s mother forces the teachers to take her out of special education and put her back in a regular classroom, Sahara has mixed feelings. On the one hand she now has a chance to start anew, but at the same time she knows that the other children won’t forget that she was in special education.
But Sahara has a special new teacher this year, Miss Pointy. Miss Pointy is like no other teacher that Sahara has ever met. Not only does she wear purple lipstick but her classroom instruction includes such subjects as “Puzzling” and “Tim Travel.” Most importantly of all, she gives every student a journal in which to write their thoughts and inspirations. Through Miss Pointy’s support and innovative teaching techniques Sahara learns to release the real person inside of her and open her secret file to others.
I really appreciated “Sahara Special” for its amazing characters. Esme Raji Codell breathes life into her characters with subtle details and dialog that you can almost hear aloud. The storyline is sensitive, yet robust at the same time, with impeccable passages written in grace. “Sahara Special” is an excellent book both because of its beautiful writing style, but also because of its timeless and heartening theme. I recommend “Sahara Special” to all young readers.
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