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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I do need to highlight the amazing benefit of a Deaf author. I love her perspective, and I learned a ton from this read. I do think this story would’ve benefited from a coauthor. While Sortino’s knowledge is unmatched, the writing feels juvenile and choppy. It was distracting enough for me that I noticed it several times while reading and felt frustrated. This book has a great premise and important message, and with tweaks it could be so much more impactful.
Lilah is a girl with hearing loss that, somewhat on a whim, decides to apply at her former summer camp as a junior counselor. When she ends up landing the job, she’s able to re-immerse herself into Deaf culture, which she’s been missing for the last few years.
Lilah is a girl with hearing loss that, somewhat on a whim, decides to apply at her former summer camp as a junior counselor. When she ends up landing the job, she’s able to re-immerse herself into Deaf culture, which she’s been missing for the last few years.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
this book was really sweet and bleeding Deaf pride. everything read so genuine and with such empathy for the myriad of Deaf experiences. the writing is on the younger side of young adult that i read, which totally fit the sweet story. will definitely read more from sortino
i also switched between the audiobook and the digital version- i was worried it would be less clear on when people were signing versus speaking in one version or the other- but i found them both to be very clear and seemless
i also switched between the audiobook and the digital version- i was worried it would be less clear on when people were signing versus speaking in one version or the other- but i found them both to be very clear and seemless
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Police brutality
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
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
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
Book Bingo 2025: Disability (take 2)
This was cute, maybe not the most innovative ever, but I love summer camp stories and I do feel like I learned a lot about Deaf culture and ASL
This was cute, maybe not the most innovative ever, but I love summer camp stories and I do feel like I learned a lot about Deaf culture and ASL
I really liked the camp aspects of this book. I did like reading about some of the struggles Deaf people face and easy ways to be inclusive. The author really spelled things out too much and didn't trust the audience to understand what was going on without too much hand holding though.
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Violence
A pretty solid 4. I'll update this in the morning with more detail. I can comfortably say that my initial feelings are valid, but the book does such an amazing job of demonstrating Deaf culture that my criticisms are mostly irrelevant. Even as a hearing person that was linked to the local Deaf Community for a while, I was able to see myself (unfortunately in pieces of Makenzie's character), and again in others as my own hearing is changing. I really loved the authentic rep, and it makes some parts of the book really beautiful.
Story itself was pretty basic, and Lilah was really dull in the first few chapters. First time author problems that detracted for me but don't ruin the book. Definitely glad I read it.
Story itself was pretty basic, and Lilah was really dull in the first few chapters. First time author problems that detracted for me but don't ruin the book. Definitely glad I read it.
This book was such a good read! I loved the many deaf identities represented and how diverse the campers were. Each character was well thought out and had their own scenes that helped them come to life.
This book not only shows the struggles that deaf people face, but also how beautiful it is to find a space where you can be yourself. This story allows the hearing world to see a glimpse of how we could better accommodate the blind and deaf, and I hope people actually take this to heart.
I hope you’ll give this summer camp story a try, I think you’ll fall in love with it as much as I did
This book not only shows the struggles that deaf people face, but also how beautiful it is to find a space where you can be yourself. This story allows the hearing world to see a glimpse of how we could better accommodate the blind and deaf, and I hope people actually take this to heart.
I hope you’ll give this summer camp story a try, I think you’ll fall in love with it as much as I did