SAHARA SPECIAL

Sahara Jones (aka "Sahara Special") is a writer, a reader, the daughter of divorced parents, and a repeat fifth-grader who has "gone special ed." In this accomplished reading, Phylicia Rashad captures Codell's feisty heroine as she expresses a tangle of emotions. Her characterization of the cooing special needs teacher who provides "individualized attention" by way of useless board games draws the listener squarely into Sahara's court. When, at last, Sahara encounters her new teacher, Miss Pointy--dressed out with imagination and a joyful approach to life--Rashad nails the educator's iconoclastic enthusiasm and captures the new empowerment of her students, from the belligerent Darrell Sikes to the now gentle and lovable Sahara Jones. T.B. Winner of 2004 ALA Notable Recording (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 03/JAN 04]