Special
A Children's Novel by
Donna Getzinger

THE BOOK

Heidi has a secret - her older brother is severely Learning Disabled. When her friends find out about it, she thinks her life is ruined. Will she be able to overcome her embarrassment, learn to accept her brother, and get her friends back? A story for all boys and girls who sometimes feel alone in the world by the author of the International Writing Competition award-winning novel The Picture Wagon.

From Chapter Three

"When is your birthday, Hide?" Stacy asked.

"February 16th. Why?"

"Are you going to have a party?"

Heidi looked up through the strand of blond hair that had crept across her face. All the girls were eagerly looking at her. Had they all been planning each other's parties this whole time? She really had been zoning, hadn't she?

"No, I probably won't," she answered. "I was thinking about going to a hockey game with my Dad and my brother."

"You know," Dora said, leaning across the table, "you only get so many chances a year to throw a party."

"True," Jackie agreed. "And only so many chances a year to force your friends into buying presents."

Heidi smiled weakly. "I just don't think I want a party this year. I'd rather go to yours."

"I think you should throw a party," Cathy said. "It would give us all a chance to see where you live."

"You don't know where she lives?" Jackie said to Cathy. It was an amazing discovery for her. "You're her best friend. You've never been to her house?"

"She's never invited me," Cathy said quietly. With Jackie it was difficult to know how to respond sometimes. It was hard to tell if she was ripping on you or just asking you an honest question.

"Has she been to your house?" Dora pressed, those deep brown eyes of her focusing more on Heidi than Cathy.

"Yes, I have," Heidi answered for her friend to remind them all that she was still there and able to speak.

"So, what's up with that?" Jackie asked.

"I don't have a lot to do at my house," Heidi told them. "Cathy's closer to school, and she has a pool. It's no big deal."

"No big deal," Jackie said, "but it's hardly fair."

"Personally, I think it stinks," Stacy said.

"Well, Cathy I think you should go over to Hide's house.

Find out what she's been hiding from." Jackie looked at Dora and Stacy and burst out laughing. "Get it? Hide's hiding something. Ha! Ha! Yes! You have earned your nickname at last, Hide."

"I feel so honored," Heidi said under her breath so no one would hear her.

"So girls," Jackie said, calming herself down. "When will the big playdate be?"

Cathy looked at Heidi and shrugged. "I don't care." Heidi looked down at her broken fingernails.

"Okay I'll decide," Jackie announced. "You two shall have a playdate at Hide's house on Friday afternoon, starting at 3:00. I think it should be a sleepover too."

"That's up to Cathy," Heidi said. She knew Cathy wouldn't want to sleep over once she saw...

"Then it's set," Jackie said, hitting the table with the palm of her hand. "Oh, I'm so excited. Be sure to tell us all about it, won't you, Cathy?"

"I'm sure there won't be much to tell," Cathy said.

Heidi turned away from the girls and stared out at the playground. I'm sure you'll have plenty to tell, she thought. More than enough.

How does Cathy react to meeting Heidi's older brother? What does she tell the other girls? How do they react to Heidi's big secret? -- Get a copy of Special today and find out.

DEDICATION

To my big brother, Joe

THE AUTHOR

Special marks the third book Donna Getzinger has published with Denlinger's Publishers. Her books The Picture Wagon and For a Speck of Gold have been critically acclaimed and recognized with several awards. Including Special, Getzinger has 7 new books being published in 2004, among which will be a 5-book biography series about Classical Composers and a fascinating book about the Ancient Mathematicians of Western Civilization (www.MorganReynolds.com). And still available from Shadowbox Media Publishing is Getzinger's first book, the award-winning fantasy novel Saving Christmas Spirit.

Special is based on Getzinger's own experiences as the younger sister of a Learning Disabled boy. This story is very close to her heart, and she hopes that everyone who reads this book will learn to love and accept the unique-ness of people like her brother the way that she has.

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