Shop Speechville Express Fictional Books for Children About Special Needs


Freak the Mighty
by W. R. Philbrick, Rodman Philbrick

From Kirkus Reviews
``The unvanquished truth'' concerning the extraordinary friendship between Kevin (``Freak''), a brilliant 12-year-old whose birth defect prevents growth, and gigantic Max, who recognizes in his new two-foot-tall neighbor the feisty kid with crutches he knew in daycare years ago. Meanwhile, Max has his own troubles; he can barely read, making school an ordeal, and since his dad's in jail for killing his mother, he lives with gentle Gram and the aptly named Grim in a fairly rough neighborhood. As ``Freak the Mighty''--as they call themselves when Freak perches on Max's shoulders, guiding him like a horse and issuing instructions--the two have much to give each other. With Freak's quick wits and Max's long legs, they explore the neighborhood and best a gang of bullies on July 4. Freak, with his vast vocabulary and imagination to match, is uncondescending but uncompromising. He gets Max involved in his elaborate fantasy games and lures him into reading... (Fiction. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gathering Blue
by Lois Lowry

From AudioFile
Left alone by her mother's sudden death in a savage future where life is ruled by fear and memory and humans feel powerless to affect their fate, Kira is a different breed, an artist who expresses her vision in colored thread on cloth. Such a gift, however, matters little to the general populace, scrabbling as they must to survive in a hostile physical world, particularly when the artist is imperfect, as Kira is, with her twisted leg and hobbled walk.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
by Jack Gantos

From Amazon
Joey Pigza has problems. Big problems. He was emotionally abused by his grandmother. He has never met his dad. He can't get along in his elementary school classroom because of his mood swings and his "dud meds." We gradually see that Joey must have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which is not being effectively controlled with his current medication. Joey's life is a terrifying roller-coaster ride, and Jack Gantos, author of the Rotten Ralph books, drags the reader along to see what life is like with ADD. The story is written from the boy's point of view in a sharp, worried style that veers out of control when Joey does. Joey's control of his own behavior slips away as we read, horrified to see this boy trying to get a grip on his life and failing. He disrupts the class field trip; he puts his finger in a pencil sharpener and injures himself; he swallows his house key. Then he runs through the classroom holding open sharp scissors. When he trips and falls, seriously injuring a classmate, he is transferred to a special-education program in another school. Here, thankfully, he encounters a caring teacher who recommends further medical evaluation, and Joey is eventually able to return to his former school. There is hope for Joey on the last page--he sits in the Big Quiet Chair to read. Gantos has achieved an unusual feat with this book. We want to turn away from Joey's shifting prison of emotions. But for those who stick with him, he shows us what his life is like. We walk a mile in his shoes, our feet hurting all the way. For young readers touched by ADD--and for their teachers and parents--Joey gives us the key to his world. (Ages 10 and older) --Marcie Bovetz

Tangerine
by Edward Bloor

From Amazon
So what if he's legally blind? Even with his bottle-thick, bug-eyed glasses, Paul Fisher can see better than most people. He can see the lies his parents and brother live out, day after day. No one ever listens to Paul, though--until the family moves to Tangerine. In Tangerine, even a blind, geeky, alien freak can become cool. Who knows? Paul might even become a hero! Edward Bloor's debut novel sparkles with wit, authenticity, unexpected plot twists, and heart. The writing is so fine, the story so triumphant, that you just might stand up and shout when you get to the end. Hooray!


Thank You, Mr. Falker
by Patricia Polacco, Patricia Gauch (Editor)

From Parents' Choice®
Tricia, who has a yearning to learn to read because of her family's love of learning, discovers that letters in books seem to be all wiggling shapes. As she progresses through school, her classmates scorn her as dumb. She believes them . . . until Fifth Grade when she is blessed with a wonderful teacher, Mr. Falker.

Based on her own bleak difficulties in elementary school, the author/illustrator has dedicated this touching picture book memoir to the real Mr. Falker. Every classroom should not only have this book, it should be read aloud. Without saying the word "dyslexia" or preaching, Polacco has produced a compassionate story that will comfort the troubled and trouble the comfortable. A 1998 Parents' Choice® Gold Award.

The Door in the Wall
by Marguerite De Angeli, Ted de Angeli (Introduction)

From Amazon
Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.

Click here to return to Speechville's Store

Ask questions & find answers at Speechville's message board!