Quite possibly there is a boy like Brian in every classroom – one who is excluded from most activities and ignored.  Illustrator Patrice Barton draws Brian in faint black and white while everything around him is in full color.  The teacher is focused on the louder or ill-behaved students and his classmates leave him out of all conversations and games.  Brian amuses himself by drawing amazing pictures.  When a new student, Justin, arrives, Brian gives him a shy smile while the others are trying to decide if Justin is “cool”.  As the class begins to include Justin in games and activities, Justin invites Brian to join in.  As Brian interacts with the others, color begins to slowly seep into him.  By the time a school project is completed, Brian is at last in full color.  This is a thought-provoking story and a great resource for conversations on friendship.  Included are several discussion questions as well as recommended reading list for adults and another for kids.