I almost didn’t read this book because I’ve found a lot times, it’s hard for me to connect to Deaf characters written by hearing people.
I’m Deaf, I wear hearing aids, I lip-read, and I use sign language (ASL). I also grew up in a hearing family and am oral. Many times when I read a book with a Deaf character, I struggle to truly feel that they are written well and truly embody deaf experiences.
This was not the case.
I felt Iris’ loneliness and her frustration. I felt her desire to connect - in the way that she wanted to - not the way that the hearing world desired her to connect. I felt her frustration with her dad not learning sign language enough to have a bond, or people yelling at her to “help” her hear. For others to say to the interpreter - “tell her” instead of speaking directly to her.
While the writer is hearing, they truly showed how often a Deaf child in a hearing family feels. A big part that truly made an impact with me is how Iris felt when she was around a group of Deaf students her age - and didn’t fit in since her family (mostly) is hearing. Iris didn’t feel she fit in with the hearing school or the deaf school - and maybe that resonated with me because I often feel as if I’m not “deaf-enough” or “hearing-enough”.
Once again, I often feel I'm neither "deaf-enough" or "hearing-enough."
Yes, it’s a middle-grade book. But the writing and story is not just for middle-grade. It’s for anyone who has felt as if they don’t belong. It’s a story of Hope - that somewhere, someone is listening to your song and singing a song with you. You are never truly alone.
Happy Reading!
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