Book Review: Don't Call Me Special

Thomas, Pat. “Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability.” China: Barron’s. 2000.

This book discusses the differences children with disabilities face, but how they are still capable of accomplishing the same tasks as others. This book expresses how labeling students with mental or physical impairments as being “special” is outdated and not right. It discusses ways in which people with impairments adapt their lives to have long fulfilling lives just like you and me.

I personally felt this was an excellent book. It was simple in its explanations, but informative enough to where young readers are able to understand knowing that calling a person with a mental or physical impairment ‘special’ is creating a barrier that makes them seem so much more different than 'normal' people. The book ends with a positive message that reads, “We all need to work and play together. And with a little extra help, children with disabilities can learn and grow and do the things they want to – just like everybody else” (27).

Another great thing about this book is that it provides some ways to use this book (found at the end of the book). It portrays different scenarios that can make the book more helpful for students. There is a glossary also found at the end of the book as well as further resources to use to inform students about disabilities.

I would definitely use this book in my classroom because it helps students understand how everyone is different and that does not mean that they should be treated differently by being labeled ‘special.’ Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses and this book emphasizes this point very well. I feel this book would be beneficial to read to the students to help them see this point… that everyone is valuable and important.