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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Give me a sign by Anna Sortino
This book gave a unique and refreshing perspective on growing up, belonging, and communication through the eyes of Lilah, a teenager navigating life with hearing loss. Lilah's sense of being caught between worlds—feeling neither "deaf enough" nor "hearing enough"—is a major theme throughout the storyline. This summer, however, promises change as she takes on the role of a counselor at a camp for the deaf and blind.
What I liked:
The authentic representation of the Deaf community and the challenges they face.
The writing style was unique in that you knew when the characters were speaking sign language. You could even tell with the audiobook!
The insights into a Deaf perspective in a mostly hearing world are both eye opening and educational.
The romantic subplot was pretty cute and added a delightful layer to the story
What I didn't like
While I know it's a YA book the teenage angst is a bit much for me and it occasionally detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story.
"Give Me a Sign" is a beautifully written, insightful, and charming novel that offers a deep dive into the Deaf community while exploring themes of love, identity, and self-discovery. Despite some moments of teenage angst, it remains an educational and heartwarming read.
3.5 ⭐
This book gave a unique and refreshing perspective on growing up, belonging, and communication through the eyes of Lilah, a teenager navigating life with hearing loss. Lilah's sense of being caught between worlds—feeling neither "deaf enough" nor "hearing enough"—is a major theme throughout the storyline. This summer, however, promises change as she takes on the role of a counselor at a camp for the deaf and blind.
What I liked:
The authentic representation of the Deaf community and the challenges they face.
The writing style was unique in that you knew when the characters were speaking sign language. You could even tell with the audiobook!
The insights into a Deaf perspective in a mostly hearing world are both eye opening and educational.
The romantic subplot was pretty cute and added a delightful layer to the story
What I didn't like
While I know it's a YA book the teenage angst is a bit much for me and it occasionally detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story.
"Give Me a Sign" is a beautifully written, insightful, and charming novel that offers a deep dive into the Deaf community while exploring themes of love, identity, and self-discovery. Despite some moments of teenage angst, it remains an educational and heartwarming read.
3.5 ⭐
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
So cute, liked how sign was represented with italics — helped me really picture things. Just wish some of the side character arcs were more fleshed out. Would def read other stuff by this author <3
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
To be clear - I love the signing element and think how the author mapped out the flow between English and ASL was clever.
However, this too hetero teen drama and immature communication styles for me to enjoy the plot.
However, this too hetero teen drama and immature communication styles for me to enjoy the plot.
Although I definitely loved this book for its dive into identity within the Deaf community, I loved it even more because of the camp vibes! Sortino does a fantastic job of combining her goals of exploring Deaf culture and delving into a fun summer camp coming-of-age story.
This book is very cute, but I can’t help but feel like it wasn’t really a romance story. If you’re looking to learn about deaf culture in an interesting way, then this book is definitely for you. However, if you’re looking for a cute YA love story, then this book won’t really give you what you’re looking for. It’s not a bad book by any means, but the way this book is marketed just isn’t quite right, in my opinion.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
No
As a hearing reader who is really curious about deaf culture this was an awesome read. It's taught me so much about how to approach this community. This is a book really achieves it's purpose to educate people more about this culture because I believe that's the first step for a better world for all of us. A world where not only they accommodate to us but we accommodate to them because they are worth it.
Informative and educational about how it is to be deaf, about deaf culture, and the discrimination and ableism deaf people face.
Also I literally cannot understand not learning sign language when you get a deaf child.
CW: ableism, oralism, discrimination
Also I literally cannot understand not learning sign language when you get a deaf child.
CW: ableism, oralism, discrimination
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
No