Reviews

Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

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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

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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.

tiakiwi's review against another edition

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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.

stephisbranded's review

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5.0

I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book at first (I sometimes struggle through young reader historical books), but this book was absolutely incredible. I have never read anything like this before and I love the representation of deafness that is in this book. As someone who doesn't know how to sign and has never had issues communicating with anyone, this was extremely eye opening. Imagine being taken to a place where you couldn't communicate with ANYONE. No one understood you and you have no way of being able to talk with them or tell them you are in trouble. That's what happens here. I am probably going to go on a deep dive about the history of Martha's Vineyard and the history of the deaf community. ALSO, this had a really interesting storyline about the Wampanoag People and a discussion on the taking of land and the idea of blood vs. family. This book is honestly so great and hits so many important topics.

erin_hibshman's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

A fascinating historical fiction/adventure tale about the Deaf community that once proliferated the Chilmark area of Martha’s Vineyard. Woven into this tale are ideas to ponder about Indigenous Peoples land rights, race (and cultural differences), and how families cope with tragedy and loss. This was an excellent middle grade read!!