Special Needs, (disability/Handicap)

Levinson, M., And Don't Bring Jeremy. Illus by D. de Groat., Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1985 (grades 5-7).  Why does Adam always have to have Jeremy tag along?  Why does he have to have an older brother who is different from all of the other boys?  Jeremy even has to take special classes.  Adam wonders if his friends will ever understand and stop blaming him?

Sachar, L., There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, Bullseye Books, 1987 (grades 4-5). We have all known people with behavior problems, but it helps when someone cares about that person.  This book helps us to see that by acting out, many children are looking for help. 

Wood, J.  The Man Who Loved Clowns. G.P.Putnam's Sons, 1992. (grades 6-8) Many times it takes someone with a disability to teach others that there is good in every situation.   The character, Punky Holloway, was born with

Down's syndrome.  All of his life, people  felt sorry for him and did not understand much that he did.  He is finally able to teach three generations

about the true meaning of love.  He is able to teach everyone how such a

simple thing can be such a powerful thing.