Special Edward

by Eric Walters

Overview

Edward is a classic slacker.

He's got better ways to spend his time than toiling over homework, and as long as he gets passing grades he's happy. When his fifty percent average is threatened he has to find a way to pull up his grades without applying himself. Edward discovers that special education students get more time to complete tests, and he thinks he's found the perfect scam. Little does he know that manipulating everyone around him will take more work than he ever imagined.

Also available in French.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554697199
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	04/01/2009
Series:	Orca Currents Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Eric Walters is a Member of the Order of Canada and the author of over 125 books that have collectively won more than 100 awards including the Governor General’s Literary Award for The King of Jam Sandwiches. A former teacher, Eric began writing as a way to get his fifth-grade students interested in reading and writing. Eric is a tireless presenter, speaking to over 100,000 students per year in schools across the country. He lives in Guelph, Ontario.

Read an Excerpt

You've been designated special ed?" Kevin gasped.

"Not yet. They still have some testing to do, but they're letting me work there on a trial basis."

"Wow," Kevin said. "I can't believe that you did it...you fooled them."

"It wasn't hard."

"You're, like, a genius," Ahmad said. He sounded impressed.

"An evil genius," Cody said.

"There's nothing evil about this. Nobody gets hurt. Besides, I don't want any more talk about me being a genius. I'm just Ed... special Ed."

Editorial Reviews

Gr 7–10—Edward is a high school sophomore who's more into the social scene than the academic one. After discovering that a classmate received extra time on a math test because of a learning disability, he concocts a plan to capitalize on his underachieving nature by inventing a disability of his own to get out of school work. He purposely fails a battery of tests in order to be classified "exceptional," which allows him into special-education classes on a trial basis. When he learns that beautiful classmate Elizabeth has the same designation, he does whatever it takes to keep up the appearance that his plan is working. Ultimately, the teen's teachers discover that he is lying, but in an ironic twist, they find that he actually is dyslexic. The protagonist and his friends ring true; Walters has a good ear for teen talk, and Edward is as charming to read about as he is in the classroom. The author deftly weaves subtle clues into Edward's character that will leave readers nodding in agreement with his true condition. The title also refutes the stereotype that special-education students are profoundly disabled, emphasizing that a child can be gifted and still have learning issues, an important identity concept for teens to explore. A refreshing read.—H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL

School Library Journal

"Give[s] the reader valuable insight into realm of the Special Education room—and its importance and value for exceptional students who need the services that it provides...The vocabulary, short chapters and simple sentence structures will make this novel a good choice for readers."

Resource Links

"Bold, edgy...This is a topic too often skirted, and there's an inherent fascination built into Eddy's plot to be known as a 'plucky fighter' rather than a 'lazy underachiever.'"

Booklist

"The story line is believable, with an ending that will encourage reluctant readers to keep reading and trying in school…Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Nice characterization and good plotting. The book is full of stereotypical references to students with special needs at the beginning, but it is all part of the point of the book as Edward begins to understand what learning disabilities are all about. Recommended."

Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group (SOYAMRG)

"The story line is believable, with an ending that will encourage reluctant readers to keep reading and trying in school…Recommended."

CM Magazine

"Nice characterization and good plotting. The book is full of stereotypical references to students with special needs at the beginning, but it is all part of the point of the book as Edward begins to understand what learning disabilities are all about. Recommended."

Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group

"Bold, edgy...This is a topic too often skirted, and there's an inherent fascination built into Eddy's plot to be known as a 'plucky fighter' rather than a 'lazy underachiever.'"

Booklist