Luckily, the aide the school hired seems like she will be an ally, but Maya isn't so sure about anyone else. Nina has been "assigned" to her as a sort of student mentor which is always a little awkward, and then there's Beau. Maya isn't sure what's going on with this hearing boy. What does he want from her? That's not to mention missteps from well-meaning teachers and obnoxious classmates who don't realize she read lips.
Maya loves math and science, and she dreams of studying respiratory therapy to help kids like her little brother with cystic fibrosis, and she quickly impresses everyone with her knowledge and ability.
When Beau starts learning a few signs, Maya still isn't sure what to make of him, but it doesn't take long before she realizes he is sincerely interested in her. To her own surprise, she's interested in him, too.
But her frustrations come to a head when it seems like everyone is pushing her to reject her deaf identity. Even the people she trusts the most, don't seem to understand her.
This engaging love story for Alison Gervais is an unexpected treat. It's a sweet romance that also explores life as a deaf teen in a hearing world. In the author's note, Gervais explains she also has hearing loss. Maya is a bit prickly for most of the book, but that is believable for a girl suddenly thrust into a world where no one speaks her language or understands her culture. Highly recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment