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breakfastgrey's review
2.0
This one is tough for me to rate because a number of people whose opinions I respect loved it, but... I really, really could not stand this book. I found the beginning utterly dull, the characters insipid caricatures, the villain absurd, the morals and social commentary so simplified as to be ridiculous, and the setting extremely clean. Everything is played so absurdly safe as to rob anything resembling stakes from the story. I rolled my eyes more than once.
Despite this, there were two things I did enjoy: 1. there was an excellent boat chase that was a lot of fun, 2. the use of the sign language in the dialog. I liked that there were multiple deaf characters who conversed with one another and that the writing reflected that ASL to the English written word is not a perfect translation. LeZotte fleshed out a lot of the deaf experience through her lead. Unfortunately, that excellent Own Voices insight was wrapped up in a stereotypical historical fiction novel that you've read a thousand times before.
Despite this, there were two things I did enjoy: 1. there was an excellent boat chase that was a lot of fun, 2. the use of the sign language in the dialog. I liked that there were multiple deaf characters who conversed with one another and that the writing reflected that ASL to the English written word is not a perfect translation. LeZotte fleshed out a lot of the deaf experience through her lead. Unfortunately, that excellent Own Voices insight was wrapped up in a stereotypical historical fiction novel that you've read a thousand times before.
carolinesj11's review
informative
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
novelyon's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bickie's review
5.0
1802 Martha's Vineyard
What would an accessible society look like for deaf people?
Discussion of stealing of Wampanoag land and the differences in understanding land "ownership" among the Wampanoag and the English settlers. Stratified society with prejudice against Irish, Black freedmen, and Wampanoag.
Grief and guilt over loss of brother through an accident.
Parents disagree.
11-year-old protagonist but would be interesting up to 8th or 9th grade, I think.
Deaf author.
What would an accessible society look like for deaf people?
Discussion of stealing of Wampanoag land and the differences in understanding land "ownership" among the Wampanoag and the English settlers. Stratified society with prejudice against Irish, Black freedmen, and Wampanoag.
Grief and guilt over loss of brother through an accident.
Parents disagree.
Spoiler
Horrible kidnapping and subsequent mistreatment. Could be scary for some readers.11-year-old protagonist but would be interesting up to 8th or 9th grade, I think.
Deaf author.
brianna_moye's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, and Ableism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
shellyshelly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lillimoore's review
4.0
Every child between the ages of 9-13 should have this book on their shelves or a chance to borrow it from the shelves of the library! Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte is a well-researched and heartwarming middle-grade #OwnVoices historical fiction novel set in Martha's Vineyard in the early 19th century. The story follows Mary Lambert (no, not of Same Love fame), an 11-year-old deaf girl living in an area of Martha's Vineyard where a large number of the local population is born deaf, a hereditary condition passed down through descendants of one of the earlier settlers there. This community boasts seamless communication between both deaf and hearing communities through their local dialect of sign language, which allows the deaf population nearly just as many opportunities and very little limitations in their world.
Mary's family is grappling with a recent tragedy that took her older brother's life. Each member copes differently; her hearing mother is pushing Mary away as she wades through her grief while her deaf father commiserates more with Mary and her lived experiences. When a young and eager scientist comes to town to discover the root of the deafness that has such a strong place in the community, Mary's confrontations with him prove he is more dangerous than many of the town people initially realize, and she finds herself at the heart of his scientific quests, whether she wants to be there or not.
This book was excellent. It was so interesting to learn about this sect of American history which I knew nothing about. It handles themes of disability, race, and family in a way that is accessible to middle-grade readers just coming across these hard-to-discuss topics as they grow older. The way Ann Clare LeZotte describes the deaf experience is so beautiful and meaningful and I think many people both young and old could gain something from having read her work. I recommend to anyone who enjoys children's literature and consider it a must-read for children 9-13 and perhaps even younger readers that can handle slightly mature content. I really look forward to the companion book!
Mary's family is grappling with a recent tragedy that took her older brother's life. Each member copes differently; her hearing mother is pushing Mary away as she wades through her grief while her deaf father commiserates more with Mary and her lived experiences. When a young and eager scientist comes to town to discover the root of the deafness that has such a strong place in the community, Mary's confrontations with him prove he is more dangerous than many of the town people initially realize, and she finds herself at the heart of his scientific quests, whether she wants to be there or not.
This book was excellent. It was so interesting to learn about this sect of American history which I knew nothing about. It handles themes of disability, race, and family in a way that is accessible to middle-grade readers just coming across these hard-to-discuss topics as they grow older. The way Ann Clare LeZotte describes the deaf experience is so beautiful and meaningful and I think many people both young and old could gain something from having read her work. I recommend to anyone who enjoys children's literature and consider it a must-read for children 9-13 and perhaps even younger readers that can handle slightly mature content. I really look forward to the companion book!
brandidxwn's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
atgerstner's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ashnicter's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5