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leigh_ann_15_deaf's review
5.0
Deaf reader reviewing books with deaf characters.
To preface, I loved this story because it's exactly the kind of story I like to read--the comedy, the friendship, the quirkyness--chef's kiss!
Now, about Ana, the deaf character: She is fairly realistic, and the authors had deaf sensitivity readers (including Cece Bell!). Ana wears hearing aids, and dispels myths about them and lipreading throughout the novel. She knows a little ASL, but is not fluent, because her family has raised her orally. Ana also speaks Spanish!
A nice touch for me was the grammar in the text messages: it's exactly how deaf people text.
There are a few things that did not work for me:
1. Ana's history teacher refuses to wear the mic that would make his class accessible to Ana, and Doreen ends up tutoring Ana. Unacceptable! I wish they had advocated for Ana's in-class inclusion rather than doing hours of extra work after school.
2. Apparently Doreen’s dad is a hearing aid nerd, as he knows the lingo (BTE, etc.) and asks which model and how hers work in the wind. There's no explanation for how or why dad got into HA tech, so it comes off as contrived and cringey.
3. A squirrel picks up some ASL and signs to Ana, who understands it after a few tries. I was laughing so hard at this scene I literally started crying. I totally get that this was a function of the narrative, and the squirrel characters all have a higher level of intelligence than most people who have interacted with real squirrels ascribe to them, but the fact that the squirrel has learned the exact signs that were most convenient in this situation is even more contrived. Ahhhh! Hahaha. It was hilarious in the moment but the more I think of what it means, it really reduces ASL to a simple system of communication rather than a language, etc. I won't get super into it here.
Anyway, overall a great representation, and a wonderful story.
Link to ranked list of deaf characters in fiction: https://modcast.blog/2022/12/17/ranked-deaf-characters-in-fiction/
To preface, I loved this story because it's exactly the kind of story I like to read--the comedy, the friendship, the quirkyness--chef's kiss!
Now, about Ana, the deaf character: She is fairly realistic, and the authors had deaf sensitivity readers (including Cece Bell!). Ana wears hearing aids, and dispels myths about them and lipreading throughout the novel. She knows a little ASL, but is not fluent, because her family has raised her orally. Ana also speaks Spanish!
A nice touch for me was the grammar in the text messages: it's exactly how deaf people text.
There are a few things that did not work for me:
1. Ana's history teacher refuses to wear the mic that would make his class accessible to Ana, and Doreen ends up tutoring Ana. Unacceptable! I wish they had advocated for Ana's in-class inclusion rather than doing hours of extra work after school.
2. Apparently Doreen’s dad is a hearing aid nerd, as he knows the lingo (BTE, etc.) and asks which model and how hers work in the wind. There's no explanation for how or why dad got into HA tech, so it comes off as contrived and cringey.
3. A squirrel picks up some ASL and signs to Ana, who understands it after a few tries. I was laughing so hard at this scene I literally started crying. I totally get that this was a function of the narrative, and the squirrel characters all have a higher level of intelligence than most people who have interacted with real squirrels ascribe to them, but the fact that the squirrel has learned the exact signs that were most convenient in this situation is even more contrived. Ahhhh! Hahaha. It was hilarious in the moment but the more I think of what it means, it really reduces ASL to a simple system of communication rather than a language, etc. I won't get super into it here.
Anyway, overall a great representation, and a wonderful story.
Link to ranked list of deaf characters in fiction: https://modcast.blog/2022/12/17/ranked-deaf-characters-in-fiction/
royallyreading's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
wordnerdy's review
5.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2016/11/2016-book-187.html
I am being one hundred percent sincere when I say that this may be the best book I have ever read. It was completely adorable and hilarious--I was giggling out loud all evening--and it honestly restored my faith in humanity during a dark time. This Squirrel Girl origin novel--focusing on a 14 year old Doreen starting a new high school in New Jersey--totally channels the humor and personality of the comics and kicks it up a notch. Plus it is effortlessly diverse and effortlessly charming. I love all of Hale's writing, but Hale doing Squirrel Girl is a complete dream team. Seriously. GREAT. A.
__
A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in February.
I am being one hundred percent sincere when I say that this may be the best book I have ever read. It was completely adorable and hilarious--I was giggling out loud all evening--and it honestly restored my faith in humanity during a dark time. This Squirrel Girl origin novel--focusing on a 14 year old Doreen starting a new high school in New Jersey--totally channels the humor and personality of the comics and kicks it up a notch. Plus it is effortlessly diverse and effortlessly charming. I love all of Hale's writing, but Hale doing Squirrel Girl is a complete dream team. Seriously. GREAT. A.
__
A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in February.
mitzee's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookdragonenby's review
5.0
This book is fun! Telling a story of a teen girl and her struggles as a freshman in highschool and as a aspiring super hero. She has many unique friends that she gains along the way, and defeats an unexpected villian. She also makes fun with the Avengers since Tippy got their numbers.
nvg9's review
5.0
Who rules the world? Squirrels! At least that's what 14-year-old Doreen Green thinks. Doreen was born with a tail and other squirrel like features. She just moved from sunny California to the suburban New Jersey. One day while trying to make some friends she stops a gang from causing mischief in the neighborhood. Then even more trouble comes from a super villain she's never heard of. Can Squirrel Girl deal with the challenge?
Squirrel Girl is an awesome superhero with an awesome book. Shannon Hale has created a masterpiece that will take you away. I love this book, and think everyone should read it.
Squirrel Girl is an awesome superhero with an awesome book. Shannon Hale has created a masterpiece that will take you away. I love this book, and think everyone should read it.
cheermio's review
4.0
rereading as I just sent it to my niece and also in prep for the sequel. still a great story especially for tweens to read by themselves or younger set to have read to them.
nstinch54's review
4.0
It was interesting to read about Squirrel Girl shenanigans in a non-comic book form. The chapters with Tippy Toes's POV were interesting because she's a squirrel. I liked having Doreen's parents in the book because they're not in the comics and seeing her as a 14-year old teenager dealing with middle school was pretty cool.