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jamiereads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dlberglund's review
4.0
I learned a lot while reading this book, but the main conflicting event was more disturbing than I prepared myself for. I would love to read more by this author and about this particular community.
earlgrachel's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
blessingo's review
I unfortunately stopped reading this because I had to turn it in back to the library before I got to finish.
It was a beautiful book, however. You can clearly picture the Wampanoag village Mary lives on and the intricate lives of everyone in the book.
It was a beautiful book, however. You can clearly picture the Wampanoag village Mary lives on and the intricate lives of everyone in the book.
julesleigh's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a wonderful book that I think I will be referring to again and again! Having it set so close to home and paired with the disabilities of the main character this book makes for an amazing read and account of a little known part of history. To be able to create a children's book with this much information and historical resonance is a win for me.
sc104906's review
3.0
I received this as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Set on Martha's Vineyard during the early 1800s, Mary has always loved her secluded home. Her community has a higher deaf population than other parts of the world. They use both spoken and sign language interchangeably. While this island has felt like paradise to Mary, after the death of her brother, mounting tensions between other townsfolk and native populations, as well as a scientist who is determined to figure out the cause of the deaf population numbers, Mary's world becomes a scary and sad place. She seeks harmony, grief and prejudice challenge her at every turn. When Mary is pushed further into the scientist's world, will she be able to survive his horrific experiments.
This book should be part of the Newbery discussion, though I don't necessarily believe that it is one of my front runners. This is a book that everyone should read. I moves quickly and shines a light on a lesser known history. I had no idea about this history of Martha's Vineyard. I think it is important to talk about deaf history, especially from an own voices perspective. This book is a conversation starter, should be taught in schools, which merits it for discussion in the Newbery award contender list. I think the writing could have been better, but the plot and characters were solidly built. The research was present, but not off-putting. The pieces were well-put-together.
Set on Martha's Vineyard during the early 1800s, Mary has always loved her secluded home. Her community has a higher deaf population than other parts of the world. They use both spoken and sign language interchangeably. While this island has felt like paradise to Mary, after the death of her brother, mounting tensions between other townsfolk and native populations, as well as a scientist who is determined to figure out the cause of the deaf population numbers, Mary's world becomes a scary and sad place. She seeks harmony, grief and prejudice challenge her at every turn. When Mary is pushed further into the scientist's world, will she be able to survive his horrific experiments.
This book should be part of the Newbery discussion, though I don't necessarily believe that it is one of my front runners. This is a book that everyone should read. I moves quickly and shines a light on a lesser known history. I had no idea about this history of Martha's Vineyard. I think it is important to talk about deaf history, especially from an own voices perspective. This book is a conversation starter, should be taught in schools, which merits it for discussion in the Newbery award contender list. I think the writing could have been better, but the plot and characters were solidly built. The research was present, but not off-putting. The pieces were well-put-together.
traceyreads2's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book but I'm a little lost about how everything was wrapped up in the end. I understand this is a children or middle grade book but I feel like some issues were just ignored and they should definitely have been addressed. I still recommend reading this book. You will understand.
mat_tobin's review
5.0
Mary Lambert has always lived on the island of Martha's Vineyard and although the dawn of the 19th century might seem harsh to her readers, to Mary it is a place filled with family and friends. Yet, Mary's community is vastly different to anywhere else in America - they are mostly deaf and the whole community speaks, for the most part, through signs. When a young scholar comes to investigate the island and its inhabitants it brings a dark cloud of the community's livelihood and changes Mary's life forever.
Painstakingly researched, deaf author, Ann Clare LeZotte has written a historical novel here based largely on a history that is very much real. The sense of place, her way of communicating both spoken and sign language alongside a slowly-gripping plot means that she has written something extremely special here. A gifted writer, fully in control of a complex narrative and landscape who seems to effortlessly bring it all to life. Highly recommended.
Painstakingly researched, deaf author, Ann Clare LeZotte has written a historical novel here based largely on a history that is very much real. The sense of place, her way of communicating both spoken and sign language alongside a slowly-gripping plot means that she has written something extremely special here. A gifted writer, fully in control of a complex narrative and landscape who seems to effortlessly bring it all to life. Highly recommended.
tiakiwi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is very well written. It's a middle grade and about an 11 year old girl but the way the story is written keeps you really in the story. You feel her pain and almost open your eyes the same way she does when she notices that deaf people aren't seen as human in the city of Boston, but almost like animals. You also understand how you are raised is a big factor to how you think, because she talks about Freedmen and the natives of Martha's vineyard as lower than.