A review by bickie
You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino

3.0

Jilly P, a white girl with cis hetero parents, learns about Deaf culture and how to be a respectful ally to both Deaf people and people of color, specifically Black people. For middle-graders who are confused about these issues and who might answer questions similar to those Jilly asks herself, this book is a nice place to start. Great to see Deaf characters drawn thoughtfully, even though by a hearing author. Some readers may be confused about what was so racist about Jilly's mom's family, even though Jilly asks her mom's sister's wife, Aunt Alicia, who is Black and has two Black children from a previous marriage. Some older readers might find the tone a bit preachy; however, the message is to be respectful and inclusive toward others, not rely on stereotypes, and realize that "you don't know everything" - ask questions and try hard.

NOTE: One group this book seems to exclude is the ever-growing group of kids who are allergic to peanuts. Getting parents to understand that sending their kids in to school with a peanut-butter sandwich can result in their classmate's deaths is a very difficult challenge for many schools; it's unfortunate that this book perpetuates the PB&J as a normal, all-American food. At least Jilly P. seems to enjoy it only at home.