Book Review: Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

 

Mary, an 11-year-old deaf girl, lives on Martha's Vineyard in the early 1800s. Many of the people in this community are deaf and most of the residents sign using Martha's Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL). Being deaf in her community of Chilmark is not a disability but rather a difference - like having green eyes, or red hair. One day a scientist, Andrew Noble, comes to the island to study the origin of the deafness among the residents. Strangers are not usually trusted by this community but he has been sponsored by the pastor. Andrew soon starts alienating the island residents by his entitlement and lack of respect. He has been encouraged by other scientists to bring back to live specimen to be studied and he abducts Mary and takes her to Boston. 

This story is written for middle grade students, but don't be surprised if you find yourself being pulled into this story. Mary is young but has such a maturity and is really questioning a lot of what she sees in the people around her, especially in their relationships and prejudices of Native people. 

If you want to learn more about the Deaf in Martha's Vineyard or MVSL and its impact on American sign language, check out this article Reviving Sign Language on Martha's Vineyard from the Martha Vineyard times. 

Also, you can hear Ann Clare LeZotte share a little bit about this book.

I borrowed this book at the Nashua Public Library through Hoopla, but it is also available through Libby and they have a print copy. (I listened to the audio version - I am NOT good at listening to stories, but it certainly made my chores go by faster.)

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.