A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean

A Dog Called Homeless

Sarah Lean

Katherine Tegen Books, Fiction, 2012

Suitable for Ages: 8-12

Themes: Death of Parent, Grief, Dog, Hearing and Visual Impairment, Single-parent family

Awards: The 2013 Schneider Family Middle School Book Award

Book Jacket Synopsis: When Cally Fisher says she sees her dead mother, no one believers her. The only other living soul who sees Cally’s mom is a mysterious wolfhound who always seems to be there when her mom appears. And when Cally stops talking — what’s the point if no one is listening — how will she convince anyone that her mom is still with them or persuade her dad that the huge silver-gray dog is their last link with her.

Why I like this book: Sarah Lean has written a very sensitive and moving story about a girl dealing with the death of her mother. She writes with a very clear, natural and empathetic voice. Her story is about hope, friendship, determination and courage. Her plot is strong with an unexpected twist at the end. Lean does an outstanding job of developing the heart and soul of her characters. When Cally stops talking for 31 days, this determined girl has her reasons. She wants to remember and talk about her mother, who died in a car accident. But her father wants to forget and move on. Cally makes herself heard through her silence in a very unusual way. Dog lovers will cheer for the wolfhound Homeless, who is very loveable. This is a beautiful story for any child who has lost a loved one. You may visit Sarah Lean at her website.

Let’s Hear it for Almigal

Let’s Hear it for Almigal

Wendy Kupfer, author

Tammie Lyon, illustrator

Handfinger Press, Fiction, May 2012

Suitable for: 4 and up

Award: Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence.

Themes: Hearing Impairment, Cochlear implants, Differences, Self-confidence, Friendship, Responsibility

Opening: “Hi, my name is Almigal. (Actually, my real name is Ali, but I prefer Almigal because I don’t know anyone else with that name.) And, I am absolutely, positively the luckiest girl in the world! Do you know why? Because I have so many friends and each one is different.”

Synopsis: Ali is a little girl who is hearing impaired and wears pink hearing aids. So is her best friend, Penelope, who wears purple hearing aids. Ali wants to hear every single sound she can: a robin chirping, the Swan song Madam plays during ballet class, and a baby giggling. But, most of all she wants to hear her parents say “We love you, Almigal.” Her doctor suggests she may hear better if she has an operation so she can wear cochlear implants. Almigal’s world changes overnight and she realizes how much more she can hear. And that change comes with some big responsibilities for a little girl wearing cotton-candy pink cochlear implants.

Why I like this book: Let’s Hear It For Almigal is based on a true story that celebrates diversity. Author Wendy Kupfer’s daughter was diagnosed at age 10 months with a “profound hearing loss” and told that she would never speak. But Wendy and her daughter never gave up. Their story is a positive and inspirational one for parents who have children with hearing impairments. Wendy beautifully shows how our differences can become our strengths. Ali is feisty, strong and confident, and has a group of friends who support her. As a parent of a hearing impaired daughter, I wished I had this book 20 yeas ago. I had my daughter read the book and she said it would have helped her feel less isolated from her classmates. This is an uplifting book for kids who wear hearing aids or have cochlear implants. The book should be in every school library and available for teachers to use in the classroom at the beginning of the school year if they have a student with hearing aids or cochlear implants. Tammie Lyon has illustrated a very colorful, lively and vibrant book. Her illustrations capture this spunky little girl and her BIG personality. Tammie is also known for her work on the Eloise series as well as her new series, Katie Woo.

Resources: The book is an excellent resource because it will evoke a lot of discussion among students. You can visit Wendy Kupfer and Ali at her website and find other resources, activities and coloring pages. Wendy and Ali have become passionate advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing. They recommend the following resources for parents: Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Hands and Voices, Cochlear Implants Center, and the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.

This book has been provided to me free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review of the work.

Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller

Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller

Doreen Rappaport, author

Matt Tavares, illustrator

Disney Hyperion Books, Biography, Oct. 16, 2012

Suitable for: Ages 6 and up

Themes: Deafblind people, Sign language, Braille, Courage, Wisdom

Opening/Synopsis: “Helen gurgled and giggled in her crib. At six months, she crawled and said, ‘How-d’ye,’ and ‘wah-wah’ for water. When she was one, she ran after a ray of sunshine. She loved the mockingbird’s song and the sweet smell of climbing roses. But best of all was being on her father’s lap and in her mother’s arms.” When Helen was 19 months old, an illness took away her sight and speech. She was surrounded by silence and darkness. Helen tried to make up signs to communicate with her parents. But her failure to make them understand turned into outbursts. Annie Sullivan came to work with Helen when she was seven years old. Helen learned sign language quickly and was considered a genius. Annie taught her Braille so she could read books. She learned to write with a pencil, read lips, speak, and to experience the world with enthusiasm. Helen graduated from college with honors. Helen’s journey out of darkness led to freedom and she taught people how very large her world was.

Why I like this book: The title says it all “Helen’s Big World,”which is rich, full of life and not limited in any way. This is an excellent introduction for young readers to learn about this most remarkable woman. Doreen Rappaport beautifully captures the essence of this very inspirational child and woman, Helen Keller. It is written in prose with quotes from Helen woven into the story on every page. The book not only chronicles the story of Helen’s challenging and courageous life, but shows children how one can move beyond physical limitations, find their own gifts and change the world for the better. The book is large and Matt Tavares’ illustrations are bold, colorful, emotional and lively. The illustrator emphasizes what Helen can do. This book is a feast for the soul. Adults will also enjoy reading this treasure. I love that the book title is also printed in braille on the front cover.

Favorite Quotes: “We do not think with eyes and ears, and our capacity for thought is not measured by five senses.”

“The chief handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of seeing people toward them.”

“I have the advantage of a mind trained to think, and that is the difference between myself and most people, not my blindness and their sight.”

Resources: The book alone is a great resource. There are back pages of resources and materials, as well as a page of the manual alphabet chart Annie Sullivan used with Helen. The American Foundation for the Blind has great resources or kids and teachers, especially if you scroll down and click on the Braille Bug link. Check out author Doreen Rappaport’s website. This is an excellent book for the classroom.

“Nobody’s Perfect” and “Deaf Child Crossing”

Nobody’s Perfect

Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney, Authors

Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2007 , Fiction

Suitable for: Grades 4 -7 (Ages 8-12)

Themes: Deaf, Hearing Impairment, Autism, Perfection, Disabilities

Deaf since she was 18 months old, Marlee Matlin draws upon her own childhood experiences in her middle grade novel Nobody’s Perfect, a companion to her first book Deaf Child Crossing. Her protagonist, Megan Merrill, is a strong, happy and spirited 4th grader who is engaging from the start. Megan has been planning her “positively purple birthday party sleepover” for months She returns to school from Christmas vacation with purple invitations for all 11 girls in her class. A new girl, Alexis Powell, joins the class. Alexis distances herself from the other girls, excels in school and sports, and appears to be perfect. Megan makes many attempts to be a friend to Alexis, who is rude and mean. Megan begins to think that Alexis doesn’t like her because she is deaf. When the teacher forces the girls to be partners on a science fair project, the tension escalates and Megan discovers there is something Alexis has been hiding. The girls learn an important lesson — no one is perfect.

What I like about this book: The main character is deaf, but Marlee created a protagonist with so much spunk and compassion for others. There are brief mentions of the tutor who signs for her during class. Megan wonders if the new girl doesn’t like her because she’s deaf. But, she is centered enough that she is the one who gives the rude new girl many second chances, until there is a major confrontation between the two girls. But, Megan is your average fourth grader who is interested in school, parties and friendships. This is a great book for girls with hearing impairments. The novels first grabbed my attention because I have a daughter who is hearing impaired. She is an adult now, but I would have loved to have handed her these books when she was 10. Megan is a great role model for girls who are deaf or hearing impaired. This book is more about ability than disability.

Deaf Girl Crossing

Marlee Matlin

Aladdin Fiction, 2004

Suitable for: Grades 4-7 (Ages 8-12)

Themes: Deaf, Friendship, Summer Camp

Megan is excited when she learns a new girl her age is moving into the neighborhood. She is also apprehensive and wonders if the new girl will make fun of her because she is deaf and wears hearing aids. She’s tired of having to stick up for herself. Megan meets Cindy and they become best friends very quickly. Cindy soon learns sign language so she can better communicate with Megan.

The girls decide to go to summer camp together and bunk in the same cabin. Cindy tries to help Megan by speaking for her. Megan is upset and ignores Cindy, who is clueless. Their friendship is further tested when Megan meets another camper who is deaf. Megan becomes fast friends with Lizzie and they sign faster than Cindy can understand. Their friendship is at stake and they must find a way to repair the wounds.

What I like about this book: This book is the first book in the series. Megan is a feisty and willful girl. She has learned to stand up for herself because of her hearing impairment. Megan wants to be normal and do things for herself. So, she’s embarrassed when her friend Cindy steps in to help her. Cindy doesn’t understand. There are many lessons to be learned in this story including what is a best friend. It applies to all friendships. These lessons play out in Matlin’s second book, Nobody’s Perfect.