Language: R (89 swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (cyber bulling, punches)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
A few months before making a big move from Oregon to Florida with her family, 16yo Casey, who hoped to one day be a professional singer, woke up to find that she had lost most of her hearing. When Casey's friends find about her hearing loss, they all desert her. Determined not to be hurt again, she plans to hide that she is Deaf-Hard of hearing and make no friends at her new school in Florida. But Lela has other ideas. She brings Casey into her circle of friends anyway: Hayden, Paz, and Cesar. Soon Casey is bonding with Hayden over a shared love of music. Hayden also has secrets he is keeping. Although his family expects him to be a soccer star like his father and brother before him, he wants to star on Broadway. Hayden is also dealing with generalized anxiety disorder. Casey and Hayden begin to confide in each other. They find love and support with each other as they are both dealing with a disability. When they both decide to be brave and share things with their other friends, they find acceptance and support there as well.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, which is told from the dual perspective of Casey and Hayden. I liked that Casey found a place where she felt at home. I liked that the focus is on two kids dealing with disabilities while still trying to follow their dreams. They both find needed love and support from their friendship. I liked that the book describes when ASL is used and touches on some aspects of Deaf culture and community. The book touches on some aspects of ableism and cyberbullying. Casey describes herself as being bisexual. The relationship between Cesar and Casey is antagonistic until the last few chapters of the book. Then I feel that suddenly, and without any lead-up, there was a change between them.
Casey is white with a Polish father, Hayden is Cuban/Italian-American, Lela and Cesar are Colombian-American, Paz is Ethiopian-American
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
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