SPED

by Re Marzullo

What's so "special" about Special Education? SPED lets you find out. Jack Parker has been content to go through middle school in a SPED small group class for the last two years and stay off the radar of the bullies in his school. While life at Hickory Hills Middle School has been safe for Jack, it has also gotten a bit dull with only four classmates (all boys) to spend the school day with. All of that changes in Jack's eighth grade year when girls and trouble show up in his small group class. Fast paced and funny, SPED tells the story of Jack and his classmates as he handles bullies at school and challenges at home and learns that growing up means taking chances - not only for himself but for those he cares about.

214 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2013

About the author

My whole life I've just felt better when I'm creating something. After trying painting, pottery, and a very short stint in a home ec class (I sewed a shirt that even my dog wouldn't wear), I've realized that writing is the type of creating I'm best at.

In addition to writing, I also have a passionate love of football (Geaux Saints and Sic Em Dawgs), potato chips and peanut butter (not together #gross), and my lovely husband and family. I live and teach in suburban Atlanta.

Reviews

[Tracey Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterically funny and accurate portrait of middle school - the angst of fitting in, first crushes, dealing with parents, all the while having to actually go to school.

This book is entertaining and moves quickly. It is an engaging read for middle schoolers, as well as high schoolers and adults. My 8th grade daughter and I both read it and discussed (and laughed about) certain parts of the book.

One thing I appreciate about this book is that the ending is not "tidy".......just like real life. Sometimes we have to live with unanswered questions and less than perfect situations.

Hoping to see more books from this author.

[Luke Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a middle schooler, it might seem sad to some people that this is the most realistic book I've read since the outsiders. Reason: I hate realistic fiction. Why? They aren't that realistic. There are exceptions like the fault in our stars, 13 reasons why, the outsiders, but for the most part, they are school books written by uneducated homeless people. (I don't want to insult any homeless people, but how do they really know what school is if they've never been to it?) To quote S.E. Hinton: "Teenagers want to read about teenagers, but adults write about them with a 'they're hairy, I'm too scared to get close point of view... Parents often complain that their kids don't like reading, but if most of your options were a 'Jeri Doe, girl reporter' series, you'd hate reading too." Now your probably like, "where's the review?" well, first off, it was written by a very interactive teacher instead of a misunderstanding parent who's memories of school weren't timeless examples like the outsiders and the fault in our stars, but "the good 'ol days," stuff that can too easily change, making it weird when it is put in modern times. (Either that or they have a really bad sense of humor.) This had loveable characters, a good, uplifting story, and an ending like few others. Well, this has been more of poking fun at school fiction than an extremely thumbs up review. Now don't get me started on the horrors of historical fiction. Ughh.

[MacKenzie Kreikemeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are reading this book in school and I honestly didn't think it would be that great but I love it! I'm very glad my teacher picked this book to read to the class!! the story line is very well described and very relatable. It's hard for people to understand what middle schoolers go through and think about special education, but this book explains it perfectly and even throughs in a couple of extra things that all kids go through. For example when Jack goes over to his friends house and his mother is really embarrassing, we'll I'm pretty sure every kid in the world can relate to that!

[Natasha Cornelissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this book in reading class, and so far, I'm enjoying it! It really gives you a look into the teenage mind accurately, and it showed me that kids with disabilities are just like me- they still have to deal with bullies, they still get anxious about what people think of them, and they still have crushes. It's funny and fast-paced, and I would recommend it to kids and adults alike.

[morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was funny and was actually pretty accurate in all its middle school awkwardness and its description of embarrassing parents. Bernie was hilarious and my hands-down favorite character. We're reading this book in school and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to meet the author!
-Morgan Carson: Moncrieff Blue/7

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is soo funny and it speaks true middle school. the author is the best and can't wait to see her and ya I'm done. but great book I'm still in the middle of reading it.
-William Mongue
-7
-parades

[Edward Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Funny story line, well written characters, and had a lot of heart. I don't see how anyone wouldn't like reading this. Highly recommended.

[Katrina Bell]

Loved.....loved......loved this book! Amazing! Can't wait until the next one.

[Mckensey Cantando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoy this quick read! Can't wait to see if there is some middle school puppy live in the next book! Great job Re!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!Jack is a great character and you feel like you are living in his world with an overprotective mom, a great dad,and a cute girl in your life.LOVE!LOVE!LOVE!

[Maddie Apple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! I did not think this book would be this great!! I am in love with it! I can not wait to read SPED 2.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book it is aimed for the middle schoolers and is a quick book with lots of drama

[Jonathan E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what life is like for a student with special needs? Having been in schools full of special needs children, I've always wondered. Now after reading "Sped" by Re Marzullo, I finally realize what life is like for these students. Many "normal" students don't understand the challenges that special needs children face everyday. When the main character Jack begins a new year in middle school, all he wants is to fit in, and not be made fun of for once in his life. What this book taught me is that even a person with a disibility is still very much like any other person, and they could potentially become a great friend. Each and every person deserves a chance, and there's no reason to judge someone before getting to know them. I recommend this book for any middle school student.

[Salil Kamat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this quote because in the event of this quote, Jack had gotten a bit frustrated with what occurred between his parents. He was like this because he felt his parents thought he was in SPED, he had less capability. I felt the need to choose this quote because it sadly is true. People in this world judge people with disabilities and this is wrong.
I liked how this author managed to write this book from a perspective that middle school kids (especially 8th graders) would understand, unlike other books.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were many things I loved about this book! I didn't dislike anything. The book told a great story by combining romance and comedy while trying to get a nice point across. Just be yourself. No matter if you are in SPED classes or the smartest kid in the grade, people will only recognize you as that label unless you give them something else. Jack tried helping himself to get out of the class, and he helped others at the same time. He helped Leo, Harper, Bernie Xin, and everyone else in the class. It was really inspiring! The story was a great lesson, and I am so glad I read it.

[Wkimmerkim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel SPED by RE Marzullo, is a great book, telling a story a young boy in Middle School. This book is full of mysteries, drama, and suspense, accurately depicting the life of an average middle school. I believe almost everyone can relate to the amazing book for you were once the Jack Parker in the 7th grade. I recommend this book to kids in Middle School, but especially for the kids are having a hard time because they will find out that you should stand up for what you believe in and don't let people push you around.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sped, by Mrs. Marzullo (my teacher), is a book filled with awkward events, crushes, ironic stuff, and an inside look on what it's like to be in Special Education (SPED). It's about an 8th grader named Jack who tries to fit in with the regular kids. To do that, he must overcome bullies, learn to dance, and help a friend out. I would recommend this book to people in 5th to higher grades. It was such a good book.

Can't wait for the sequel!

[Ethan Weesnaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really good book. It would be awesome to see a movie adaption of this. On another note, I would recommend this to everyone who is literate. So if you're reading this, I expect you to go pick up a copy of this book and get on it!

[Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was how much I can relate to it. Although I am not a special education student and am not a victim of bullying, I can see where the author is coming from. I also liked the sense of humor used white writing this book, especially when it mentions the "Words of Stupidity."

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good YA fiction; not my favorite genre but a great way to connect with my son (we read it together).

[Gottenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read aloud for my 7th graders! We all loved the characters and missed them when the book ended. (Some PG and PG-13 words)