Special

by Nancy F Goodfellow

Told from the perspectives of two friends—one with a disability and one without—Special is Wonder for Down syndrome.Madison has always helped and protected Meg. Why wouldn’t she? They’re “M&M”—best friends and always together. Meg’s Down syndrome never mattered.

Until they start junior high.

Now that they’re in seventh grade, and Madison’s father has passed away, Madison is feeling insecure and alone. But when she gets the chance to join the popular kids, it’s Meg who may get left behind. Both girls are forced to figure out what makes them who they are—and who they really want to be. A story of loss, loyalty, and acceptance, Special is for any child who believes they need to change who they are in order to fit in.

284 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2026

Reviews

[Courtney Whittred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Special by Nancy F. Goodfellow, and I cannot stop thinking about how deeply important this story is.
Told through dual perspectives, the book follows two best friends, Meg and Madison, as they enter the stormy waters of seventh grade. Meg has Down syndrome, and Madison is her fiercely loyal, neurotypical best friend. Seeing both sides of this relationship—the brilliant internal world, agency, and thoughts of someone living with Down syndrome, alongside the journey of her closest support system—is the exact kind of representation we need more of.
Reading this book felt incredibly close to home for me. In my own life and work supporting individuals with Down syndrome, I found myself relating deeply to Madison. What makes a relationship like theirs special isn’t some clinical strategy; it’s the simple fact that you don’t see Down syndrome as a deficit to fix, or something to fear.
When I look at my friends who have Down syndrome, I don’t see a diagnosis first. I see them. I see their name, their humor, their unique quirks, and their brilliant personalities first.
Because of that, watching the teachers in this book interact with Meg was incredibly frustrating, yet entirely realistic. As the girls transition into junior high, the educators show a painful lack of perspective-taking. They treat Down syndrome like a monolith instead of the beautiful spectrum it is, constantly imposing pre-judgments on Meg rather than simply asking her what her actual wants, needs, and goals are. They show so little trust in her ability to be independent.
This is where the book perfectly illustrates Dr. Shelley Moore’s brilliant framework of looking at students as Trivial Pursuit pies rather than labeling them with outdated binaries.

The school staff fail both girls by refusing to see their whole pies:
* Madison’s Pie: On paper, she looks like a textbook "Green" student—the self-sufficient helper who is doing fine. But her pie is incredibly complex. She is carrying the heavy, silent wedge of trauma and grief after losing her father. Because the system assumes she is just a "support provider," her own deep emotional and social needs go completely unseen by the adults around her.
* Meg’s Pie: The teachers look at Meg and see only one giant, deficit-based color dominating her entire identity. They treat her independence wedge as if it’s completely empty. In reality, Meg’s pie is bursting with vibrant wedges: deep emotional intelligence, sharp self-awareness, and a powerful sense of loyalty that actually helps support Madison through her grief.
When we reduce a student to a label, we blind ourselves to their strengths. Friendship and support are a two-way street. Meg didn't need the school system to decide her boundaries for her; she needed them to look at her whole pie, trust her capability, and give her the autonomy she deserved.
To every educator, parent, and ally: let's stop assuming boundaries for people based on a diagnosis. Let's look at the whole pie. Let's trust, let's ask, and let's listen to the person first.
Highly, highly recommend this beautiful, eye-opening book!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Special by Nancy Goodfellow and highly recommend to everyone with a teenager, disability or not!! Also great for teenagers to read and discuss with a family member about how they would feel about the situations that come up between the main characters - two girls in Junior High, one with Down syndrome and one without.

My oldest was born with Down syndrome and is currently in middle school so many of the challenges and emotions the characters go through in the book felt relatable and brought me to tears at times.

I loved that every chapter is the point of view of both girls. All of my friends with and without a child with a disability can learn from Meg and Maddy’s friendship. No one said growing up was easy but to have a true friend standing beside you makes it all the more special.

[Erin Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fourth-grade teacher, I highly recommend "Special" for all classroom libraries. Beyond that, it’s just a fantastic read! This engaging story of best friends, Meg and Melody, highlights the obstacles of traveling through life during the complex middle-school years. This novel allows readers to walk in the shoes of someone with Down syndrome and is an important reminder of the power of kindness. The personal challenges each character faces emphasizes the unmistakable bonds that connect us to our past and help us each move forward to be the best versions of ourselves. I cannot say enough about this wonderful book!

[Susan Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired Special Education Teacher I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Nancy F. Goodfellow. The approach from the 2 main characters viewpoints was exceptionally portrayed in this very heart warming book. I worked with Down Syndrome children at various age levels. I saw so many similarities of former students with her character, Meg. As a mother and author, Nancy truly understands the world of the DSChild that Meg is living and coping with emotionally. What a tribute to her own daughter and a work of love she has written. A book truly worth reading by all! Thank you Nancy and KUDOS for a well written book. Your daughter must be truly “Special”. Susan Nelson

[Allison Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winner in middle grade books this year. I love a story that is honest and real, with main characters who act their ages, struggle with feelings like kids their age, and simply skips the preaching in exchange for excellent storytelling.

Madison and Meg have been best friends for a long time, but with Junior High starting, things may be changing. Meg has Down Syndrome and Madison’s dad has just died. Add in middle school crushes and new friend groups and things are bound to be a challenge.

[Lynn Leitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in dual points of view, Special explores identity, belonging, and friendship, featuring characters you'll immediately love. Meg has Down syndrome. Madison doesn't. Both have layered, complex feelings about starting junior high, and somewhere along the way, their friendship has hit a bump. Relatable and eye opening, middle grade kids will find themselves drawn in from the get-go. Highly recommend!

[Heather Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special is an insightful and thought provoking story that stays with you long after the last page. Nancy explores inclusion and navigating the challenges of friendship in a way that truly resonates, showing that friendship has no boundaries; it looks past disabilities and differences to what truly matters. I highly recommend it for middle grade, high school and adults!

[Ann Ehlert · Rating 5 out of 5]

full of joy and the reality of pain

This book depicts the life well of both a person with Down syndrome, their friends and their parents. It also shows how much we all live through the same seasons of life no matter what our ability is.

[Melissa Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book. I felt that one of the main characters with disability, brought the challenging middle school life real.

[Ashley Spilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story highly recommended!!!

[Addy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing representation! Incredibly satisfying and beautiful ending 💕

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet middle grade all about enduring friendships and inclusion!

[Karen Vallee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very "special." I wanted to scream at characters. I cried with characters. It really pulls at your heartstrings. What do you do when your best friend has Down Syndrome and you are ready to expand your friend circle, but maybe your new friend isn't the person you think she is? Also is a new "romance" budding? This book has everything a realistic fiction book should have. Highly recommended.