The Specials

Written by Holli Anderson
 
A little disruption in class is normal for most kids, but when two new students show up without warning and his favorite teacher is kidnapped in the same week, Aiden King is thrown for a loop. It's true that Aiden has a near-genius IQ, but he's also autistic. Consistency is important for Aiden, and new people are a challenge.
 
Aiden struggles to deal with the change, but also finds himself teaming up with a diverse group of students, both "normals" and "specials," to find and rescue Mr. Butler. The gang includes: Aiden who has Autism; A'Reian, who has Down Syndrome; Katie, who has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-dependent; Danny, who has learning disabilities; Jake, who is a "normal" kid sent to their classroom for two weeks as a 'learning opportunity' (read: punishment); and Ty, the new kid who makes Aiden nervous because of the color of his skin. This eclectic group of kids can't solve the mystery alone, but together they may find the unique skills they need, and Aiden may just learn the power of having friends.