Ode to Grapefruit by Kari Lavelle illustrated by Bryan Collier*

 Ms. Lavelle presents how James Earl Jones struggles with speaking (stuttering & also becoming mute when trying to speak), how he decides to remain silent for eight years, and how a teacher helps him finally speak again. He then pursues degrees and careers that require speaking. I love the role poetry has in his success!!

I like how the author includes tips how to interact with someone who stutters.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The King's Speech-DVD**

 Rated: R (for language-a scene where many curse words are shouted but not at anyone or in anger)

Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter

Wow. I loved this movie. After watching it, I felt satisfied. I may rate it as one of my top five favorite movies. Even my husband, who watches mostly sci-fi, fantasy, or action, agreed this movie was worthwhile.

When Edward VIII abidcated the throne of England, his younger brother Albert reluctantly accepts the position. Since he was four or five years old, Albert (later known as King George VI) suffers from a stutter. How will he be able to stand in front of his people and deliver speeches with his stammer? Albert's wife seeks therapy for him from an untraditional speech therapist, Lionel Logue. The two form an unlikely friendship. Albert/King George VI is Queen Elizabeth II's father.

An amazing, inspiring story.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Warning: language, some innuendos

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

I absolutely loved the character Albie!
Ms. Graff handles bullies, trying to be cool, dealing with low self-esteem with sensitivity coupled with reality.  A great novel to read aloud and discuss with intermediate students.
Well crafted story-character development, word choice, plot pace
Points to discuss/warnings: lying (often), cruel classmates/unkindness, a minor character mentioned only a few times has two dads, grandfather swears one time, stuttering (speech impediments), disabilities (infer maybe Albie has some sort of disability or maybe even a lower IQ)
Strategies: inferring-character traits/feelings, asking questions
Use with the following books:
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (picture book; intermediate)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (mature readers)
The Boy and the Jaguar  by Alan Rabinowitz (picture book-bio)
The Paper Boy by Vince Vawter (mature readers)

A Boy and a Jaguar by Allan Rabinowitz illustrated by Catia Chien*

Alan stutters around people but not around animals.  At a young age he vows to a jaguar in the Bronx Zoo to be his voice.  After college he has his opportunity and it changes his life.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: inferring, asking questions, synthesizing

Wodney Wat's Wobt by Helen Lester illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Rodney cannot pronounce his "r's" so the book is full of "w's" for "r's" which made reading aloud a bit annoying!  His robot repeats everything he says, correctly.
Rodney's robot saves the day when the bully, Camilla Capybara returns to school.

Paperboy by Vince Vawter*

Eleven year old Victor Vollmer cannot even say his own name without stuttering.  When his best friend Art leaves for the summer and asks Victor to take over his paper route, Victor dreads the weekly collection day when he must speak to strangers who are unaware of his speech impediment.
A wonderful book about becoming confident in you are and growing up.
Story takes place in Memphis, TN in 1959 where segregation was still a reality.
Even though the main character is eleven, because of the maturity of some of the content, I would not recommend it for elementary age (see specifics below).
Points to discuss/to be aware of: couple of swear words; cruelty of segregation; a vile junk-man who beats and almost kills Mam, Victor's family's maid and Victor; spousal abuse (hints of it-not an eyewitness account); Victor develops a subtle crush on a lady on his paper route; Victor discovers his so called father may not be his actual father