A review by jlennidorner
Jessi's Secret Language by Chan Chau, Ann M. Martin

emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

The copyright page sets the tone by mentioning that Deaf is a proper noun when related to a person. Even if you haven't read the other books in the series, this one is very enjoyable and valuable. It talks about the isolation a child can feel when unable to communicate with others, especially their family. 

As the fictional world here is light-hearted and good, the young children in the neighborhood all opt to learn ASL to help the Deaf kid feel included. If you're looking for a "faith in humanity restored" kind of novel, this book is for you. Representation matters. We need more books like this one.