I read Rorby’s novel as part of my goal to write a book worthy of one of the American Library Association awards, The Schnieder Family Book Award. I feel a kinship with the main character, Joey Willis, a deaf child. Joey is isolated from the rest of the world by her inability to hear. I can he... more

I read Rorby’s novel as part of my goal to write a book worthy of one of the American Library Association awards, The Schnieder Family Book Award. I feel a kinship with the main character, Joey Willis, a deaf child. Joey is isolated from the rest of the world by her inability to hear. I can hear, but can only communicate with people that can read my lips. Joey does have hearing aids, but they make her more uncomfortable than being left in a silent world. Joey’s mother refuses to let her learn American Sign Language. Her only means of participating in the world around her is to read lips. She has never understood a word her stepfather has said, because of his mustache that makes it impossible for her to read his lips. Her mother is the one person that makes an effort to speak to Joey when facing her and speaking clearly enough for Joey to read her lips. Until one day Joey makes friends with Charlie, an elderly man, and Sukari, his chimpanzee. Both of them speak ASL. Joey begins to learn to speak with her hands to her mother’s dismay. Her mother forbids it, but eventually sees her mistake. Charlie dies and Sukari is sent to a research lab. Joey learns that she is Sukari’s guardian. Her mother didn’t want her to know. It is up to Joey to save him against her mother’s protest. She must fight to exert her will and save the chimp entrusted to her. Rorby’s passion for a child and chimp vulnerable to the beliefs and decision’s of others with no regard for their needs is shown with stark clarity. The heart wrenching tale exposes the cruelty of a society that adores then thoughtlessly discards chimpanzees. By placing Joey, a human being that needed and lacked an advocate (until Charlie helped her) in charge of Sukari readers are shown that all creatures deserve to live where/how they can reach their own potential. I highly recommend this book. 5 of 5

Schneider Family Book Award 2008. Joey is a 13 year old girl who is deaf. The mystery as to how she became deaf is not revealed until the end of the book. This factor is driving the dysfunction between Joey and her mother. Joey wants to learn ASL and mom says "no!" Joey meets and elderly man w... more

Schneider Family Book Award 2008. Joey is a 13 year old girl who is deaf. The mystery as to how she became deaf is not revealed until the end of the book. This factor is driving the dysfunction between Joey and her mother. Joey wants to learn ASL and mom says "no!" Joey meets and elderly man who befriends her. He has a chimp that has been raised as a human and uses sign language. This book has a Reader's Guide with activities, author bio, and discussion questions. Animal lovers will cry. Mothers will love the little girl. Lexile level is appropriate for age listed on the book. Once into the book, it becomes a page turner.