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emily_koopmann's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Ableism
Moderate: Racism
emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was a great sequel to Show Me A Sign! The book continued to explore Deaf history, this time focussing on the historical mistreatment of Deaf family members, how they were not treated as human beings and instead were abused and neglected because they were not understood. It also highlighted the importance of being able to communicate with those around you, and the isolation that occurs when this is not possible. This was of course incredibly confronting to read about, but it is also so NECESSARY to read about, shining a light on evil history that is not often taught to middle-graders.
I loved that the social issues raised in this book were explored with an intersectional lens. For example, LeZotte shows the intersection of race, disability, and class when it comes to one important side character, illustrating how racist and classist ableism created their horrendous situation. Additionally, the author calls out how the Bluestockings' white feminism excluded women of the global majority and disabled women. Racism, ableism, classism, sexism, and the various intersections of these oppressions are, of course, all still relevant to today's society, which just underlines the strength of this book in exploring topics that middle-graders (and other readers of all ages) need to learn about.
My one criticism is that the pacing and plot structure wasn't as strong as in Show Me A Sign. But I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would wholeheartedly recommend the duology!
I loved that the social issues raised in this book were explored with an intersectional lens. For example, LeZotte shows the intersection of race, disability, and class when it comes to one important side character, illustrating how racist and classist ableism created their horrendous situation. Additionally, the author calls out how the Bluestockings' white feminism excluded women of the global majority and disabled women. Racism, ableism, classism, sexism, and the various intersections of these oppressions are, of course, all still relevant to today's society, which just underlines the strength of this book in exploring topics that middle-graders (and other readers of all ages) need to learn about.
My one criticism is that the pacing and plot structure wasn't as strong as in Show Me A Sign. But I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would wholeheartedly recommend the duology!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Ableism, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Racism, Colonisation, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Slavery, Excrement, Sexual harassment, Medical content, War, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Addiction, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Vomit, Gore, Animal death, Sexism, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Grief
Major: neglect Moderate: seizure Minor: insects, loss of a loved one, epidemic, drowning, theft, involuntary experimentation, imprisonment, capital punishment, missing loved one, COVID, childbirthflordemaga's review
emotional
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Ableism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Racism
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