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Sahara Special (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Esme Raji Codell Play Audiobook Sample

Sahara Special Audiobook (Unabridged)

By: Esme Raji Codell
Sahara Special (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Esme Raji Codell Play Audiobook Sample
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This audiobook is no longer available through the publisher and we don't know if or when it will become available again. Please check out similar audiobooks below, and click the "Vote this up!" button to let us know you're interested in this title. This audiobook has 6 votes
Read By: Phylicia Rashad Publisher: Listening Library Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: November 2003 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:
3.01854500616523 out of 53.01854500616523 out of 53.01854500616523 out of 53.01854500616523 out of 53.01854500616523 out of 5 (3.02) - 1,622 listener ratings
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Publisher Description

There are two files on Sahara Jones. The one the school counselor keeps is evidence that she is a fifth grader who needs special education. The other is the book Sahara is secretly writing, her Heart-Wrenching Life Story and Amazing Adventures.

The latest chapter in her book unfolds when her mother insists that she be taken out of special ed. So Sahara is facing fifth grade in the regular classroom, again. But why even try to do work, Sahara wonders, if everything she does just winds up in the counselor's file?

Enter Miss Pointy, the new fifth-grade teacher. With her eggplant-colored lipstick and strange subjects, such as Puzzling and Time Travel, she's like no other teacher Sahara has ever known. When she passes out writing journals to the class, Sahara begins to have fresh hope for the school year. Through Miss Pointy's unusual teaching, storytelling and quiet support, Sahara finds the courage to overcome her fears and prove which file shows her true self.

Laugh-out-loud dialogue and unforgettable characters distinguish Esme Raji Codell's debut novel about a troubled but talented student, and the inspiring teacher whose belief in her changes her life.

Download and start listening now!

"This book is about a little girl named Sahara Jones. Sahara is special needs, but her mom thinks that she should be taught and treated like a normal 5th grade little girl. Sahara was taken out of special ed and put in a normal class. Her 5th grade teacher was like no other with green and purple hair and pink hightops. She gives out magical rainbow stickers to award her students for good work and good behavior. Sahara struggles, will she make it through fith grade in a regular class? Read the book and find out what will happen next..."

— Luci (5 out of 5 stars)

Sahara Special (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.90322580645161 out of 53.90322580645161 out of 53.90322580645161 out of 53.90322580645161 out of 53.90322580645161 out of 5 (3.90)
5 Stars: 13
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " great for educators. poetic and heartfelt writing. "

    — Karla, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked the protagonist and the book's message. The book made me wish for more teachers like the one in the story. "

    — Connie, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I lOVED this book! Even though this book is a fictional story, the author takes it from her personal life teaching in a Chicago school. I wouldn't homeschool if all of the teachers were like this. So many students feel terrible like Sahara that they don't amount to much because they are in special ed. But in reality, some hide their talents and gifts because we don't incorporate Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences. "

    — Maria, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A wonderful surprise awaits anyone reading this book. Watching the change in Sahara is like watching a summer vegetable garden beginning to bear fruit after a long hot summer. May possible themes for discussion are imbedded in this little gem. "

    — Karen, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a surprising book that deals with the label of "special ed." It is a powerful story and the author is a teacher. It really made me think about how important it is to encourage children and not limit them. They believe what you tell them and often it takes a lifetime to undo the unintentional damage! All kids can learn! "

    — Stephanie, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " wow this book made me feel dumb at the end of it "

    — Carolyn, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Simply one of the best audiobooks there is. It's a shame it didn't win any awards for Rashad. "

    — Roger, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wonderful story. I love Codell's style and she truly must be an amazing teacher. Any teacher who has ever worked with student's with "special needs" should put this on their must read list. Besides, it's just plain funny. "

    — Molly, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " it was good :] "

    — Helanie, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I think that book was a really good book because it was talking about how this girl changed her feelings and actions all because of one teacher "

    — Juliet, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A great story for kids or teachers. Well written, entertaining and moving. "

    — Dawn, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I love books about writing. This book is not only about writing, but also about teaching, inspiration, healing, and hope. "

    — Martha, 10/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " i recomend this book to 7th graders. it's interesting, and just right for your age. its about a a young girl and her stories in her school. i read this in 7th grade. "

    — Nicole, 9/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " If you read this, then prepare for something that's REALLY weird. You know, on a weird scale of 1-10, I give it... 11. Whoa. However, it's still pretty good, and I listened to it in the car. "

    — Snowman, 7/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I LOVE this book! I think every teacher should read this book. it gave me great insight into a teacher who lets each of their students start off with a fresh slate. She lets her students be who they really are. it also shows a remarkable journey of a girl dealing with trauma in her life. "

    — Natalie, 2/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I LOVED THIS BOOK! Yep, it is a children's book, but WOW! The book "spoke to me" as a teacher...I hope that I can change a child's life like Ms. Pointy did for Sahara. "

    — Shanna, 11/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " foul language "

    — Amaya, 11/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Oh, what I wouldn't give to have had a teacher like Ms. Pointy. Or to BE a teacher like Ms. Pointy. This book stole my heart! "

    — Shannon, 10/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Touching and uplifting. "

    — Emily, 9/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Read this in 4th grade, was my fav book. "

    — Sidney, 8/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Sahara is considered special ed and her mom no longer wants her to be designated as such. She is then held back and must repeat the 5th grade. Enter Miss Pointy, a new teacher that is wonderful and brings out each child's gift "

    — Kim, 6/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a delightful book! The characters are ones that kids will no doubt see in their classmates and maybe even in themselves! I love the voice in which the book is written. "

    — Erin, 4/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Sahara Special is a delightful novel about a young girl who is "special" (think of sped)and who learns to believe in herself and her classmates because of a quirky teacher who expects and gets the best. A fun read! "

    — Stevi, 12/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I have been reading alot of junior books this recommended to me by daisy, it was a sweet story about a teacher who really knew her students and how to get them to achieve to their potential dispite what had been told to her by others. its a young girl learning to know herself "

    — Mom, 12/10/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I read this book for a Mom/daughter bookclub. It was an outstanding story about tough lives in a very tough neighborhood/school. Good for kids to get a glimpse of life outside of their "bubble". "

    — Mollie, 11/18/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked the protagonist and the book's message. The book made me wish for more teachers like the one in the story. "

    — Connie, 11/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really loved this character- heard this on audiobook, wonderful narration by Phylicia Raschad "

    — Mercy, 10/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great read! I love Miss Pointy's character. I stuck a lot of post-it notes in this book. I look forward to sharing it with my students. "

    — MissGross, 10/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " As far as mr.Lam read that book for us it was good (P.S it had bad words, but that book was funny. I hope every in my class liked it.) "

    — Airakj, 9/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good book but not a favorite. Would recommend to African American children and children who feel out of place at times. "

    — Megan, 8/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book..Great for special needs students who feel like they aren't able to succeed in school :) "

    — Christina, 8/3/2010