Sahara Special Paperback – January 1, 2004 by Esme Raji Codell 
 
The winner of the International Children's Book Award, this novel tells the funny and touching tale of classroom redemption. Sahara Jones is going into fifth grade--again. Although she won't be Sahara Special (special needs, that is) anymore, she soon learns to find a way to redefine special for herself.
 
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