|
jaday said: 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
tags: ginny rorby, girls, hurt go happy, joey, kid lit, monkey, realistic fiction, newbery honor, tear-jerker, ya, young adult, sign language, sukari, deaf, deafness, chimpanzees, animals, asl, 1001 books you must read before you die, animal rights, best book, disability, family relationships, friendship, Schneider Family Book Award. 2006 |
