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A review by oliviak07
Joss by Erin Falligant
3.0
One of the recent post trends in the world of Deaf social media entails the American Girl: Girl of the Year 2020, Joss, and how she wears a hearing aid due to her partial deafness. Given that I was a girl of the 90s who owned several dolls and items from the American Girl brand, and my goal to read every book in my library that includes characters on every side of hearing spectrum, I decided to give the new series a try.
Although the book is clearly aimed at a specific age group (9-11 years of age), in part due to the choice and the flow of words and the plot, I have to admire the positive lessons and experiences Joss and her friends and family have even if they are in the wake of not so positive moments.
I was glad to see how much consultation was used for this story, since it is vital to have authenticity in any lead character for younger and older audiences. With diverse and authentic representation anyone can be and feel like a hero because they identify with someone else who mirrors their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Falligant sought out the advice and stories of several notable names in the Deaf community, the surfing community, and the cheerleading community. Due to this research and effort readers will respect these lives and interests whether they are their own or not.
First there was the introduction of the wheelchair accessory for dolls, and later the red tipped cane. I hope the hearing aid is far from the last 'accessory' to be included in toys and books aimed at the younger generation. From the looks of it, and the responses from the Deaf and the disabled community as well as the abled community, it will not be.
Although the book is clearly aimed at a specific age group (9-11 years of age), in part due to the choice and the flow of words and the plot, I have to admire the positive lessons and experiences Joss and her friends and family have even if they are in the wake of not so positive moments.
I was glad to see how much consultation was used for this story, since it is vital to have authenticity in any lead character for younger and older audiences. With diverse and authentic representation anyone can be and feel like a hero because they identify with someone else who mirrors their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Falligant sought out the advice and stories of several notable names in the Deaf community, the surfing community, and the cheerleading community. Due to this research and effort readers will respect these lives and interests whether they are their own or not.
First there was the introduction of the wheelchair accessory for dolls, and later the red tipped cane. I hope the hearing aid is far from the last 'accessory' to be included in toys and books aimed at the younger generation. From the looks of it, and the responses from the Deaf and the disabled community as well as the abled community, it will not be.