Scan barcode
A review by lillimoore
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
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!