The Junkyard Wonders

Having had a special education experience in her previous school a young girl named Trisha is excited to start a new school. However she is heartbroken to learn that she was assigned to the classroom known as the junkyard. She feels like quitting but with an extraordinary teacher and incredible friendships she realizes that every kid in the junkyard is truly special.

Based on her own experience Patricia Polacco brilliantly describes her encounter with segregation in this book. Ability levels vary from person to person and all to often this is still a very real experience for some learners today. The Junkyard Wonders is definitely a contemporary fiction piece that is sure move the reader to embrace diversity, specifically in the classroom.

Reader Response Questions

1. Do you enjoy learning? About what?

2. Do you have trouble understanding things sometimes?

3. How did this story make you feel?

Motivational Activities

1. Group the children by 3 or 4 and provide each group with random household items. Together they can create their own "junkyard wonder"

2. Allow each group to present their project to the class and explain their rational for what they created and why.

Patricia Polacco

Patricia Polacco was moved by an unforgettable teacher around the age of 14. With the help of this educator she was able to get the help that she needed for her newly found special need. She is dyslexic but has persevered and overcome hurdles and today she is a renown children's author.

Polacco, P. (2010). Junkyard wonders. New York: Philomel Books.