The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
There is so much good in this book about the power one person can have over another. Peekay endures terrible cruelty from his peers that most children would never pull through bravely. It is through the influence of one great man after another that his life is transformed from a victim to a fighter and we are reminded how with one small gesture or a few words of motivation, you have the ability to transform someone's entire path. If you have older readers, hand them the adult version. Younger readers though can read the Young Reader version of this special story! (recommended for ages 14 and up).