The Junkyard Wonders

Nov 10, 2012 Gundula rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: older children and adults who love inspiring stories of courage and love

Shelves: childrens-history-nonfiction, childrens-literature, picture-books, school-story, challenges-special-needs, book-reviews, abuse-bullying

The Junkyard Wonders (written and illustrated by the amazing Patricia Polacco) is, indeed, an absolute wonder, evocative, heartwarming, emotionally wrenching. When Tricia decides that she wants to live with her father for a while, she is dismayed when she is, yet again, put into a special education class, the junkyard. However, Mrs. Peterson's class has incredible, wonderful classmates (friends) for Tricia, and an extraordinary teacher, who inspires her students to be creative, imaginative, to b...more The Junkyard Wonders (written and illustrated by the amazing Patricia Polacco) is, indeed, an absolute wonder, evocative, heartwarming, emotionally wrenching. When Tricia decides that she wants to live with her father for a while, she is dismayed when she is, yet again, put into a special education class, the junkyard. However, Mrs. Peterson's class has incredible, wonderful classmates (friends) for Tricia, and an extraordinary teacher, who inspires her students to be creative, imaginative, to believe in themselves, who shows them that they are truly "special" in the best, most positive sense of the word.

I found myself both inspired and enveloped by the many emotions, the many themes, messages flowing into and out of this absolute gem of a story (and a true story at that, based on Patricia Polacco's own experiences); a rich and varied tapestry of happiness, sadness, anger, fear and frustration entered my soul, my very being. And then there is Mrs. Peterson, a truly one-of-a-kind teacher. She makes Tricia and her classmates believe in themselves. She encourages their creativity, their dreams and ideas, at a time when most of the other teachers and students only see that the students in Mrs. Peterson's junkyard are somehow "different" that they are "weird" that they are "challenged." While Mrs. Peterson might not actually be able to stop the bullying, the negativity that is often directed at her students, she makes her students realise that they "can" that life is full of wonder and endless possibility.

I would recommend The Junkyard Wonders to older children, above the age of seven or eight. Although there is quite a lot of descriptive text, it is not primarily that which makes me hesitate to recommend this amazing and heartfelt narrative to very young children, but the fact that the story does cover some rather heavy themes, such as bullying and the unexpected death of a classmate (I, myself, cried while reading The Junkyard Wonders, I was also fuming with indignation at the bullying and the fact that the principal chose to listen to the tales told by the school bully).

Like other reviewers have also mentioned, I don't think that Patricia Polacco's bold and colourful illustrations would be all that appealing to me on their own. However, in combination with the text, they work amazingly well. A fitting complement to the story, the illustrations mirror and expand on the joy, the heartbreak, the love, the hope, all of the emotions portrayed and described in and by the narrative. Very highly recommended.(less)

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Jul 22, 2010 Lisa Vegan rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everybody; Patricia Polacco fans; children who have challenges; teachers & parents

Shelves: biography, childrens, non-fiction, picture-books, reviewed, orphaned-and-quasi-orphaned-kids, school-stories

Patricia Polacco is a wonder; she’s just wonderful. She contributes so much for children who are struggling, and for all readers, with the majority of her books; this is one of those books. It reminded me very much of two other of my favorite Polacco books: Thank You, Mr. Falker and Mr. Lincoln's Way. I love marvelous teacher stories and these three books tell about remarkable teachers.

Last autumn into early this year, 2010, I read my way through all of Polacco’s 51 books (this is the 52nd) star...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Krista the Krazy Kataloguer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-childrens-books

This story picks up some time after Thank You, Mr. Falker. After Mr. Falker helps her learn to read, the young girl in the story chooses to live with her father and go to a different school, hoping to be put in a regular class. Instead, she finds herself in a special ed class again, but, luckily, with a very special teacher, Mrs. Peterson. Mrs. Peterson teaches the class how to see themselves as just as smart as the other children, as able to accomplish great things just like anyone else. I wish...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Dolly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with their children

Shelves: 2011, childrens, education-school, other-usa, aviation, nonfiction, favorites, picture-book-club

We really loved this book. Patricia Polacco has done it again, with another thoughtful, tear-jerking story that reveals a little more about her childhood. The way that one teacher can really make a group of children shine is so inspiring - I hope that one day I can make a child feel as special, as creative, as part of something as she did. I love how the teacher embraced the moniker of "The Junkyard" and showed the children how wonderful a junkyard can be. I love that she turned the "rejects" in...more

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Jul 05, 2011 Cheryl in CC NV rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars in my own personal opinion. I love how this is a true story - a memoir. So not only can children learn the message of hope and joy and appreciation of everyone's contributions, they can learn one way how to read & write a memoir.

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Jul 10, 2012 Shelli rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books, my-favorites

Patricia Polacco books are perfect for intermediate/junior high age teachers to share with their students. These books are not a quick five minute read, and no baby books as picture books are sometimes described by the misinformed. Such magical discussions and learning can take place after sharing one of these books.

This story could be a sequel or a companion book to Thank You, Mr. Falker, although it is not necessary to have read that to understand and enjoy this, a mini biography from Patrici...more

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Jul 09, 2011 Josiah rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am stunned. This is a book of truly transformative beauty, by far one of the top few picture books that I've read in my entire life. Patricia Polacco's writing is infused with a wondrous emotional energy that affects every page of the story, making the experience of reading The Junkyard Wonders one that you are sure to never forget.

Drawing on a life-changing experience from her own childhood as the basis for this deeply moving story, Patricia Polacco tells of a dyslexic girl named Trisha, wh...more I am stunned. This is a book of truly transformative beauty, by far one of the top few picture books that I've read in my entire life. Patricia Polacco's writing is infused with a wondrous emotional energy that affects every page of the story, making the experience of reading The Junkyard Wonders one that you are sure to never forget.

Drawing on a life-changing experience from her own childhood as the basis for this deeply moving story, Patricia Polacco tells of a dyslexic girl named Trisha, whose natural struggles with learning to read have caused other kids to brand her as "dumb." Trisha bounces back and forth between living with her mother in California while school is in session and her father in Michigan during the summer months, but the teasing from so many of the kids back home who know about her dyslexia motivates her to ask her father if she can stay with him this year and go to school in Michigan. Her request is allowed, and Trisha is optimistic about the opportunities she'll now have as she begins school in a new town where none of the kids will be aware of her reading difficulties and think her to be unintelligent because of them.

It comes as a shock to Trisha, then, to discover that her class is a specially designated one for kids who have problems, and all of the "regular" kids can tell immediately that she must have some sort of issue for her to have been placed in that class. "The Junkyard", her special class is nicknamed, but with a different inflection on its name as spoken by their teacher than the pejorative one used by the main student body. Mrs. Peterson, the type of extraordinarily gifted educator who seems almost to have been born specifically so that one day she might teach, tells her class of "Junkyard Wonders" that a junkyard is actually a marvelous place filled with practically unlimited potential, and just as anything can be made from the materials in a junkyard if one is willing to think hard and give maximum effort, so the students in her class can achieve the best results imaginable if they're just willing to give it a go.

To illustrate her point about the potential of the Junkyard Wonders, Mrs. Peterson takes them on a field trip to an actual junkyard, and instructs them to pick out some raw materials to work with in small groups among themselves, in order to make something new and worthwhile from the junk that each group has selected. By this time, Trisha has found her niche with the other Junkyard members, and she settles in to work with her intelligent and wondrously inventive peers to make something out of that which had once been deemed nothing, to show that one problem, or even several problems, are not enough to keep an object from being salvaged for good. And if a thing can be saved in such a way, then how much more can a human being find a good purpose for his or her life in spite of a few problems?

If this were the only lesson learned in The Junkyard Wonders, I would still give it at least three stars. The fact is, though, that the story grows much more powerful and the emotions sharper as Trisha and her fellow Wonders come to face the bleak sting of loss when it hits them in a very personal way. The intent of their project to save something from the junkyard takes on even more poignantly felt meaning as they see the beauty that is created and left behind in a stirring legacy to those who are gone, and how far anyone can fly if they always retain hope for their future.

The Junkyard Wonders is a lovely, very affecting story that powerfully evokes emotional connection to the characters and their situations, for such a short book. I think that's because most of us feel at least a little bit of the Junkyard inside of us, and wonder deep down if our own broken parts will prevent us from reaching high and becoming something special during the brief time we spend on earth. When we read a story like this one, it reinvigorates our hope for our own lives that major challenges don't have to bring an end to a person's usefulness, and reminds us also that greatness so often comes from the unlikeliest sources. In my mind, The Junkyard Wonders is one of the best books (not just picture books) of 2010, and I love it. I would recommend it to anyone. (less)

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Apr 15, 2011 Karin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, autobiography-memoir, picture-books, juvenile-nonfiction, dyslexia, special-needs, children, elementary-school, teasing, bullying, teachers, teaching, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Trisha talks her parents into letting her stay with her dad for a year in Michigan – she has a learning disability, just learned to read over the summer, and she’d like to start school in a place where no one knows that she “used to be dumb.” Things don’t go exactly as Trisha planned, however. She is placed (once again) in a special class, called the “junkyard” with teacher Mrs. Peterson and other special learners. Her summer friend, Kay, won’t play with her now that she knows Trisha’s one of th...more Trisha talks her parents into letting her stay with her dad for a year in Michigan – she has a learning disability, just learned to read over the summer, and she’d like to start school in a place where no one knows that she “used to be dumb.” Things don’t go exactly as Trisha planned, however. She is placed (once again) in a special class, called the “junkyard” with teacher Mrs. Peterson and other special learners. Her summer friend, Kay, won’t play with her now that she knows Trisha’s one of the “junkyard” kids. Trisha is upset initially, but she soon adjusts to life in her new school with her new classmates. They have a lot of fun, and learn so much, but they still face a lot of teasing and bullying from kids in the regular classes. Mrs. Peterson takes them all to an actual junkyard to show the kids that junk is really full of possibilities. Each of the class tribes takes something back from the yard to transform, and several weeks later they present their inventions. Trisha’s group has repaired and improved a model airplane. The whole class wants to see it fly, so they all pitch in to help raise money to buy a motor, then, the whole class attends a launch party – on the roof of the school. It’s a triumphant moment for everyone.

The Junkyard Wonders is autobiographical – Patricia “Trisha” Polacco really was dyslexic and she really was a part of Mrs. Peterson’s junkyard. Her memories of that time were so powerful and positive that she wanted to share them with everyone, by writing this book. At the very end she shares some of the other students’ stories – how they went on to become fashion designers and aeronautical engineers and, in her own case, a famous author! What a wonderful teacher Mrs. Peterson must have been to have so inspired her students to appreciate themselves, face their unique challenges, and explore their talents. The bright and cheerful illustrations show all of the energy and wonder in these special young folks.(less)

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Mar 08, 2011 Treasa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, grades-k-2, grades-3-5, picture-books, realistic-fiction, dyslexia

Trisha is thrilled when she is allowed to stay with her father in Michigan to go to school this year - here nobody knows that she only just started reading or that she used to be in a classes for "special" children. But her excitement is dulled when she learns that she has been placed in Mrs. Peterson's class, a class that is known as the Junkyard. Yet while others may think the students in Mrs. Peterson's class are all weird or stupid, those lucky enough to be a part of the Junkyard know otherw...more

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Dec 23, 2010 Beverly rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love Patricia Polacco’s books. The illustrations are always beautiful and the stories inspiring and touching. This book is no exception.

The Junkyard Wonders is a wonderful and inspiring book based on a real-life event in author Patricia Polacco’s childhood.

Young Trisha moved from her old town so she could attend a new school and not be in the special class anymore. She is disappointed to find out that her new class is a special class, known as “The Junkyard.” Things begin to look up when Trish...more

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Sep 16, 2010 Eva Leger rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Eva by: library

Shelves: julias-books

After reading this book and a few of the reviews that are here on GR I'm definitely going to look into some more of Patricia Polacco's book.
When Julia and I started this I had no idea where it was going. Although I found out fairly quickly I was still surprised at her execution. Julia, at 5, "got" a lot more than I thought she would.
I like how this deals with so many things within something bigger. The main character, Trisha, starts school only to find out the few friends she had weren't speak...more After reading this book and a few of the reviews that are here on GR I'm definitely going to look into some more of Patricia Polacco's book.
When Julia and I started this I had no idea where it was going. Although I found out fairly quickly I was still surprised at her execution. Julia, at 5, "got" a lot more than I thought she would.
I like how this deals with so many things within something bigger. The main character, Trisha, starts school only to find out the few friends she had weren't speaking to her any longer. Then she finds that she's in advanced classes. With a bunch of kids that the others definitely do not consider normal. (Sound realistic anyone?) While I was never in any advanced classes (although Julia may be if she stays on the same track she's on) it's still highly relatable.
The definition of the word genius was a bit much for Julia so I shortened it so she could grasp it.
I also like that (and this is something I noticed quietly but Julia pointed out to me) that Trisha lives with her Father and Grandmother (another very relatable aspect for many, many children today - including Julia).
Mrs. Peterson's way of teaching is beautiful and this is a great way to show kids that they'll (hopefully) meet some wonderful teachers along their way through school.
The confronttation with Barton? Awesome - something everyone can relate to, even the Barton's of the world. There was just so, so much included. Jody's character and what happened to him is something I faltered with for a few minutes. I was scared Julia wouldn't really know how to handle it since she's has minimal experience with death as of yet. I had nothing to worry about - she asked some questions and we talked. I was a little surprised I guess, I wasn't aware something of that magnitude would happen in the story. What happens with the principal at the end of the book is another aspect I liked - everyone deals with disappointment - even teachers. And they try to find a way through the problem - like the characters here did.
Probably my favorite thing about the book is that the end wasn't mushy with the Barton-like kids finally seeing the light and accepting the smarties. That's not the way it works in real life and it would have hurt the story immensely for me. (less)

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Apr 16, 2013 Megan Willis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: block-2, unique, life-lessons

When I was reading this book at Barnes and Noble, I literally started crying. It is the touching true story of Patricia Polacco's year in a special education class. Her teacher names the class "The Junkyard" because the class is full of students who others have given up on but have wonderful gifts and potential. The class takes a trip to the local junkyard. Tribes of students work together to make something new and creative out of the things they find in the junkyard. Polacco's group redesigns a...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Linda Silva rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: silvadigitalbookshelf

The Junkyard Wonders are students in a school who people see as "weird." Each student has a unique gift that their teacher sees as a strength and encourages them to see what can be, not what is. When the teacher has the class divide into "tribes" real friendships form for life in and out of school. After a trip to the junkyard to find real treasures, the tribes create amazing pieces of art and dedicate the final project to a student and friend that they lost. This is an incredible story about an...more

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Sep 11, 2011 Marcia rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Andrea

Shelves: grades-4-6, middle-school, picture-books

I love Patricia Polacca and as she always does, she uses meaningful experiences from her life in a captivating story. And like many of her books, this one hurts a little to read. The' Junkyard" is the name of the special education class in which Patricia was a member (she is dyslexic) and the residents have hurtful names thrown at them. This will be familiar to adults who grew up in a different time, but may be confusing/upsetting to today's students. "Retard" is a term that was thrown around fr...more

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Sep 23, 2010 Crystal Marcos rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this book! I enjoy reading uplifting stories based on true events. I like Polacco’s use of light humor in a serious topic. Being different doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It can be quite a wonderful thing. Bravo to Mrs. Peterson for helping the children to see their full potential! I can only hope that my child has an experience with at least one teacher like this. This book made me remember my absolute favorite teacher Mrs. Nimitz. She was my 7th and 8th grade teacher. I was behind in re...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Stephanie Weatherly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: text-set

The Junkyard Wonders is a beautiful example of learning to love who you are and not letting the opinions of others affect you negatively. Trisha joins a class that is looked upon at her new school as "The Junkyard" because it is full of special education students. At first Trisha is mortified to be in a class that is thought of in this way, but she soon discovers that the class is full of beautiful people who have amazing gifts to offer, including herself. Many of the students go on to do incred...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Nichole rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco

I absolutely love this book and Patricia Polacco!!! Mrs. Peterson is an exceptionally inspiring teacher. Mrs. Peterson encouraged children to think outside of the box and believe in themselves! This sweet story is a classroom library must have. The Junkyard Wonders are a group of children who learn to embrace and love themselves and one another. This classroom is filled with many different kinds of geniuses and brave souls. I could read this story a hundre...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Lindsay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-that-make-a-difference, realistic-fiction, jcs, science-fiction, biography, reader-s-notebook-and-book-activiti

Another outstanding book by Patricia Polacco. The Junkyard Wonders is one that as a reader I wanted to yell out loud with anger and then in the end with cheers.
As a teacher, I want to empower my students the way Mrs. Peterson empowered the students in room 206, literally the sky the limits on what they are capable of doing.
this would be a great book to use when teaching our No Bullying curriculum - have the students think about words and labels and how they affect the way a person feels about...more

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Jul 05, 2011 Ronyell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Ronyell by: Gundula

Shelves: recommended-books-from-friends, best-books-of-2011, books-i-want-to-own, children-books, disabilities, drama, favorites, biography, picture-books, patricia-polacco, read-in-2011, goodreads-group-reads, reviewed-books, ronyell-s-epinions-reviews, school-related-books

As a young girl, author Patricia Polacco was diagnosed as dyslexic and she was put inito special classes, however in this book, “The Junkyard Wonders,” young Patricia Polacco has discovered a very special teacher named Mrs. Peterson who teaches her and other students like her that they are special no matter what anyone says about them! “The Junkyard Wonders” is truly one of Patricia Polacco's best works ever created for children!

Beautiful, simply beautiful! I have read many books that depicts Pa...more As a young girl, author Patricia Polacco was diagnosed as dyslexic and she was put inito special classes, however in this book, “The Junkyard Wonders,” young Patricia Polacco has discovered a very special teacher named Mrs. Peterson who teaches her and other students like her that they are special no matter what anyone says about them! “The Junkyard Wonders” is truly one of Patricia Polacco's best works ever created for children!

Beautiful, simply beautiful! I have read many books that depicts Patricia Polacco's troublesome childhood when she was coping with dyslexia, but never have I read a book that truly showed the power of true friendship in such a hopeful light! Patricia Polacco has done a magnificent job at both writing and illustrating this book about a group of kids who each have a disability and how they learned to believe in themselves through an inspiring teacher. Patricia Polacco's writing is dramatic and heartwarming at the same and I truly felt sad for Trisha and her friends as they were teased at school because of their disabilities, but I loved the way that Trisha and her new friends stick together through all the hard times they had at school and I also loved the way that Trisha and her new friends spend so much time with each other after they met which proves how close they are to each other. What I truly loved about this book was the teacher, Mrs. Peterson and it was so inspiring about how she helped the children with disabilities believe in themselves and see that they are special in a good way. I also loved her definition of a genius as it defined that everyone in that classroom are all geniuses and it does not single anyone out. I also loved the fact about how Mrs. Peterson showed the class about making new objects out of something old in the junkyard and it was truly special in how they built an airplane together since it showed how everyone came together to make something that represented the whole class. Patricia Polacco's illustrations are truly beautiful and heartwarming at the same time and I loved the illustrations of Patricia Polacco as a child as she always wears pigtails and a dress and has a hopeful expression on her face. My favorite image was of Mrs. Peterson coming into her class and you can see all the children including Trisha staring up at Mrs. Peterson thinking that she was intimidating, however I really loved the appearance of Mrs. Peterson as she does have an appearance of a strict teacher as she wears a gray dress, wears glasses and has her hair in a bun, but she has such a kind face and wisdom beyond her years that I immediately fell in love with her!

All in all, “The Junkyard Wonders” is a truly memorable book for children who have disabilities and want to believe in themselves. It makes me really want the teachers that Patricia Polacco had when she was small because they were all truly inspiring teachers! I would recommend this book to children ages five and up due to length of the book being a bit too long for children.(less)

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Mar 05, 2013 Yapha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books

Patricia Polacco has done it again. Yet another book that I find myself reading with tears streaming down my face. This autobiographical account takes place the year after her acclaimed Thank You, Mr. Falker. Young Trisha is spending the year with her father in Michigan and finds her self placed in a classroom full of "different" students known as the Junkyard. Their teacher assures them they are each geniuses in their own ways. This book is one of growth and unexpected friendships, as well as t...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Viccy rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you know any child who thinks he or she is too different or too weird, this is the book to recommend. Trisha begs her dad to let her stay in Michigan and not go back to California. She has finally learned to read and now she knows everyone will be her friend. Except when school starts she is placed in the "Junkyard Wonders" class along with all the other special needs kids. However, when the teacher arrives, Mrs. Peterson makes all the difference in the world in how the class views themselves...more

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Mar 18, 2012 L12_tomj rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction

Patricia Polacco's "The Junkyard Wonders" follows a young girl on her first day of school in an elementary school in Michigan. Our protagonist states that "in California", the kids all knew that I had just learned to read...that I used to be dumb." Everyone knew that I was alays in special classes." She thinks that none of her new classmates will know, but they soon find out when our central character tells them that she is in Mrs. Peterson's class room 206. The girls know that our protagonist i...more Patricia Polacco's "The Junkyard Wonders" follows a young girl on her first day of school in an elementary school in Michigan. Our protagonist states that "in California", the kids all knew that I had just learned to read...that I used to be dumb." Everyone knew that I was alays in special classes." She thinks that none of her new classmates will know, but they soon find out when our central character tells them that she is in Mrs. Peterson's class room 206. The girls know that our protagonist is in special classes, and they give her an awkward and funny look. So begins our adventure into the strange and beautiful group of students in Mrs. Peterson's class.

Mrs. Peterson is a tremendous teacher because although her class is full of exceptionalities and disabilities: Gibbie has Tourette's, Stuart Bean has diabetes, our protagonists has very week sight; Mrs. Peterson introduces herself and the class with a definition of genius. She informs each student that they are not a collection of students with disabilities, but a group of students with unique talents waiting to be explored. Genius is "It is imagination without boundaries. It is creativitiy without constraints. It is....extraordinary intelligence!" Mrs. Peterson slams the book shut, and invites every student to the junkyard. The reader is informed that Mrs. Peterson calls the classroom the junkyard because all the students are different or odd like the unique and unfitted parts of a junkyard.

Of course our protagonist, who is about 12, is none too happy to be back in "special" classes, but her father convinces her to give it one year. Each student truly has some exceptional skills: math, poetry, a budding engineer, and an artist. Our protagonist is both exceptional and disabled, but Mrs. Peterson builds on the students talents while minimizing their deficiencies. Our exceptional teacher Mrs. Peterson takes the students on a range of wonderful adventures: looking at stars in a telescope. Mrs. Peterson takes them to a junkyard to reveal that what is often considered junk, or throways, has much potential. The students sift through the discarded pieces of the a real junkyard to find treasures which they cut, hammer, glue, and saw together to create new items. Students find value where others have not, and we see them invent new instruments like a Vibraphonium, A Hanging Wall Maze, and Gibbie and Jody have revamped an old model airplane to fly once again.

The "Junkyard Wonders" is not without its tragedies. One boy, Jody, who's body keeps growing and growing dies in his sleep because his heart has given out. Mrs. Petereson lays out the sad news, and Ravanne, Jody's partner, is devastated. The students don't give up on the dream of flying their plane. A motor is needed, so they rally to Gibby's dream to fly the plane. Over several weeks the class has many bake sales with proceeds going to buy a motor. Finally, the plane is set, but the principal won't let them fly the planes for safety reasons. The principal does agree though that if Mr. McDonald, Gibbie's dad, is present, the plane can be flown off the roof. A dream is not deferred, and the children all get to see the plane take off and zoom into the clouds. What was once junk is now seen by all the students in Mrs. Peterson's class as flying through the air.

What makes this story so endearing is that Patricia Polacco's story isn't just inspirational fiction about a teacher who saw greatness with students when other saw disabilities, but that this story is based on real events. All these students with Mrs. Peterson great teaching talents and their determination ended up achieving success. Thom became an artistic director at the American Ballet, Ravanne became a textile designer, and Gibbie went on to be an aeronautical engineer for NASA. What a story for student and teacher alike! Patricia Pollacco was in Mrs. Peterson's class as well; she went on to be a writer of childrens books.

Patricia Polacco's story of achieing success despite huge odds, and her retelling of Mrs. Peterson's creative teaching and belief in these students really is inspirational. The story telling is simple and honest. We really do feel the anguish of being labeled special in a negative way by other students, and triumph with Gibbie as his "junkyard" plane zooms through the air. Since no other illustrator is mentioned in the publishing of this story, and the author describes herself as an artist, that Patricia Pollacco both illustrated and wrote this story is significant. The readers are wrapped in the author's personal story and are the richer for it. The drawings were done in pencils and markers, so there is a childlike simpleness to the sketches and brightness to the colors. When added to direct and authentic narration, the illustrations of the class realizing its many talents capture the mood and actions of their achievements.

"Junkyard Wonders" is a good fit for any middle school aged student. Teachers in Language Arts, Gifted, and Special Education classes can use the author's idea that each of us have unique talents as conversation starter about students own special skills. Teachers should look for other historical figures, like Einstein, who may have been deemed initially to deficient but proved to gems in the rough. A good research or portfolio project on historical figures can be explored with students. Other exceptional figures in history with humble and often overlooked beginnings to be read along with this story include. "Thank You Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco, "When Lightening Comes in a Jar" by Ernest Pollaco, "Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln" by Patricia Pollaco.(less)
updated Feb 27, 2012 02:46pm · delete (less)

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529_Amalia Tom,
I also read this book and was curious on what you thought of it?
Feb 24, 2012 08:30pm

L12_tomj Patricia Polacco's "The Junkyard Wonders" follows a young girl on her first day of school in an elementary school in Michigan. Our protagonist states...more Patricia Polacco's "The Junkyard Wonders" follows a young girl on her first day of school in an elementary school in Michigan. Our protagonist states that "in California", the kids all knew that I had just learned to read...that I used to be dumb." Everyone knew that I was alays in special classes." She thinks that none of her new classmates will know, but they soon find out when our central character tells them that she is in Mrs. Peterson's class room 206. The girls know that our protagonist is in special classes, and they give her an awkward and funny look. So begins our adventure into the strange and beautiful group of students in Mrs. Peterson's class.

Mrs. Peterson is a tremendous teacher because although her class is full of exceptionalities and disabilities: Gibbie has Tourette's, Stuart Bean has diabetes, our protagonists has very week sight; Mrs. Peterson introduces herself and the class with a definition of genius. She informs each student that they are not a collection of students with disabilities, but a group of students with unique talents waiting to be explored. Genius is "It is imagination without boundaries. It is creativitiy without constraints. It is....extraordinary intelligence!" Mrs. Peterson slams the book shut, and invites every student to the junkyard. The reader is informed that Mrs. Peterson calls the classroom the junkyard because all the students are different or odd like the unique and unfitted parts of a junkyard.

Of course our protagonist, who is about 12, is none too happy to be back in "special" classes, but her father convinces her to give it one year. Each student truly has some exceptional skills: math, poetry, a budding engineer, and an artist. Our protagonist is both exceptional and disabled, but Mrs. Peterson builds on the students talents while minimizing their deficiencies. Our exceptional teacher Mrs. Peterson takes the students on a range of wonderful adventures: looking at stars in a telescope. Mrs. Peterson takes them to a junkyard to reveal that what is often considered junk, or throways, has much potential. The students sift through the discarded pieces of the a real junkyard to find treasures which they cut, hammer, glue, and saw together to create new items. Students find value where others have not, and we see them invent new instruments like a Vibraphonium, A Hanging Wall Maze, and Gibbie and Jody have revamped an old model airplane to fly once again.

The "Junkyard Wonders" is not without its tragedies. One boy, Jody, who's body keeps growing and growing dies in his sleep because his heart has given out. Mrs. Petereson lays out the sad news, and Ravanne, Jody's partner, is devastated. The students don't give up on the dream of flying their plane. A motor is needed, so they rally to Gibby's dream to fly the plane. Over several weeks the class has many bake sales with proceeds going to buy a motor. Finally, the plane is set, but the principal won't let them fly the planes for safety reasons. The principal does agree though that if Mr. McDonald, Gibbie's dad, is present, the plane can be flown off the roof. A dream is not deferred, and the children all get to see the plane take off and zoom into the clouds. What was once junk is now seen by all the students in Mrs. Peterson's class as flying through the air.

What makes this story so endearing is that Patricia Polacco's story isn't just inspirational fiction about a teacher who saw greatness with students when other saw disabilities, but that this story is based on real events. All these students with Mrs. Peterson great teaching talents and their determination ended up achieving success. Thom became an artistic director at the American Ballet, Ravanne became a textile designer, and Gibbie went on to be an aeronautical engineer for NASA. What a story for student and teacher alike! Patricia Pollacco was in Mrs. Peterson's class as well; she went on to be a writer of childrens books.

Patricia Polacco's story of achieing success despite huge odds, and her retelling of Mrs. Peterson's creative teaching and belief in these students really is inspirational. The story telling is simple and honest. We really do feel the anguish of being labeled special in a negative way by other students, and triumph with Gibbie as his "junkyard" plane zooms through the air. Since no other illustrator is mentioned in the publishing of this story, and the author describes herself as an artist, that Patricia Pollacco both illustrated and wrote this story is significant. The readers are wrapped in the author's personal story and are the richer for it. The drawings were done in pencils and markers, so there is a childlike simpleness to the sketches and brightness to the colors. When added to direct and authentic narration, the illustrations of the class realizing its many talents capture the mood and actions of their achievements.

"Junkyard Wonders" is a good fit for any middle school aged student. Teachers in Language Arts, Gifted, and Special Education classes can use the author's idea that each of us have unique talents as conversation starter about students own special skills. Teachers should look for other historical figures, like Einstein, who may have been deemed initially to deficient but proved to gems in the rough. A good research or portfolio project on historical figures can be explored with students. Other exceptional figures in history with humble and often overlooked beginnings to be read along with this story include. "Thank You Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco, "When Lightening Comes in a Jar" by Ernest Pollaco, "Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln" by Patricia Pollaco.(less)
updated Feb 27, 2012 02:46pm

Feb 18, 2012 Adriana Guillen rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It took it to another level just how Patricia Polacco had this wonderful teacher make them feel special and how different is good and turned a negative connotation to a positive one. This book went beyond helping these children discover their intellectual self and made them believe they can do what they set themselves to. Like the plane that was going to make it to the moon, it really did! Gibbie put a picture of the vanilla tribe and that picture was launched abroad the lunar...more

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May 30, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: think-alouds-primary, turn-and-talk, pyp-attitude-appreciation, pyp-attitude-cooperation

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Nov 11, 2010 Janice Durante rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books

Drawing on her own experiences as a dyslexic child, Polacco tells how young Tricia landed in the “junkyard” class for kids who had learning differences. The children were taunted and ridiculed and felt like cast-offs, but their wise and nurturing teacher, Mrs. Peterson, saw their gifts and helped them realize their potential. The story, while lengthier than most picture books, has plenty of conflict and action and can easily be read in two sessions. Allow time to discuss the need to value each p...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books

This is a stirring story of growing up with learning differences, being supported by an inspiring, loving teacher and finding comfort and companionship in a group of children, all overcoming some difficulty in their lives. The children develop a deep, lasting friendship with each other, are motivated to think of themselves as capable and creative, rather than limited and enjoy school with their passionate, nurturing teacher very much. There is a very sad event--the loss of one of the students, a...more

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Sep 13, 2010 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books

Oh! My! Goodness! This is one of the best Polacco books yet, and that is saying something! Patricia was put into a class of "special" students known as The Junkyard at her new school. Although she was devastated, she began to make new friends and to love her wise teacher, Mrs. Peterson. The very best part of this book is the last page upon which Polacco tells what happened to "The Junkyard Wonders" when they became adults and how their tribe of friends actually made it to the moon! It's just awe...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Helen rated it 3 of 5 stars

This William Allen White nominee should be required reading for all special ed. classes. Again I enjoyed it more than I thought I would since I find Polacco books hard to use as read-alouds. But this one should work well, and the author's note at the end should be read as well, since it tells what careers the kids in this class ended up with. All the kids at school call the special ed class the junkyard class, but the teacher of the class calls the students junkyard wonders and inspires them to...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Caitlin Singleton added it

Shelves: personal-literacy

Mrs. Peterson inspires her class of "misfits" students to discover their inner genius. After a trip to the local junkyard they start to figure out how work together as a class and except one another. She makes her class feel like they rule the school and makes them start to feel no so much like "misfits" but that they actually belong in the school. They student's in Mrs. Peterson's class start to feel comfortable in the own skin. This book inspires me to be the best teacher I can be and to make...more

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Sep 05, 2011 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Patricia Polacco is an amazing author and this book did not let me down. I shared it with the my family, friends, teachers, and my principal. It can be used to teach children about tolerance. While reading this book about the special class Patricia attended and her amazing teacher, I couldn't help but think that this class wasn't a special needs class, but a gifted class with a gifted teacher. It is a must read. I used with book to help my class create goals for the school year. If you loved the...more

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