Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski

Woolbur describes what would happen if Alex were a sheep. Young Woolbur goes to school every day and each evening Maa tells Paa about "a little problem" at school that day. Woolbur doesn't want to be sheared. Maa and Paa worry, Grandpaa tells them not to. It goes on as Woolbur goes against the stream through wool carding, weaving and flock etiquette. Finally, everyone else in his class decides to try it his way. It's a nice message and Woolbur looks cool - kind of a rebel sheep with dreadlocks.