New Releases by Traci Van Wagoner

The Nelson Beats the Odds: Compendium One gives readers a chance to experience Nelson Beats the Odds and Tameka's New Dress in one thrilling graphic novel. The compendium presents real tips for real life situations and is a great addition to library shelves. Nelson Beats the Odds features Nelson, a young man who used to think school was all about playing and talking with his friends. When Nelson learns that he's been diagnosed as having a learning disability and ADHD, he is placed in special education and separated from his friends. Out of fear of being ridiculed and teased by classmates, Nelson attempts to keep his disability and struggles with learning a secret. With the encouragement of his parents and assistance from Mrs. T., his special education teacher, Nelson succeeds academically and reaches his full potential. Tameka's New Dress presents sensitive issues, including childhood trauma, parental substance abuse, kinship care, and bullying in a way that's gentle and suitable for children of all ages. In Tameka's New Dress, a gifted middle school student faces the challenges and fears of being the new kid at school while dealing with the harsh reality of living in an abusive home. Throughout the short story, Tameka receives the encouragement she needs from her caregiver and other adults in the community to fight off the school's bully without using violence.

The author presents us with a strong girl in Tameka, who not only finds adults who can and do support her, but also finds a way to confront her bullies without becoming a bully herself.