Deafness Books

This book is great because it explains how to say real phrases, as opposed to showing you dictionary words without context. The writing is clear and easy to understand, and there's a lot of background information as well. I recommend this book to anyone who is truly attempting to become fluent in ASL.

The pictures were very cartoon-like and the depiction of the signing was sometimes hard to decipher just what the gesture actually was supposed to be. Some explanations and/or additional comments would have helped. This book was okay, but not outstanding...I would think a better investment could be made.

I am very happy with my order, I e-mailed them and got a respond back in less than an hour. My book was bought used and looks brand new.

I have studied several ASL books, and this book is easily the best I have used. This book teaches you ASL phrases and ASL grammar. I really like the way this book explains ASL grammar and sentence structure.

Shane

This book is great for those learning A.S.L. because it gives you conversational phrases that you would normally use in taking to deaf people. Much like a Learning French Tape that tells you basic phrases you would use in English and French so that you can learn to converse in Sign by knowing the right phrase and style to use.
The only problem I had was that some people have a hard time figuring out the correct hand motion from the illustrations. Also if you are not used to ASL sentence structure you will have a hard time understanding some of the phrases.
I found it to be a good hand book for teaching basic sign phrases and words.
I suggest using this book with a class or an Instructional Video. It will help to see the signs in motion so that you can match the motion with the illustration.

This is a kind of book that you cannot put down. You can't wait to see what happen next or what Karen and Ben experience together. It is a well written true story. I have gained a lot of informations and understanding of what APD is in an EASY and ENTERTAINING way. There's no difficult medical term, just daily experiences/routines that help me understand APD. It's a good read, really!! A box of tissue nearby would be helpful!

I thought this book was a great read - I read it non-stop to the end. If the author were to write a second book updating her son's story, I would definitely read it. This is a compelling book for any parent not just those whose children have APD.

In fact, I'm not sure that her son's APD is particularly typical. Her son clearly demonstrated language problems from the outset, whereas I believe many APD cases are quite subtle. So, like the other reviewers, I would say don't read this as a textbook for APD, but more as an interesting story of how one family dealt with their son's challenges.

The book was insightful, easy to read. I couldn't put it down. The book is written from the family's perspective as their child is identified with a disorder. It relates the family's stuggles for correct diagnosis, treatment and support. A must read for early childhood specialists who assess and work with young children with special needs.

Because I couldn't NOT find out how their journey turned out, I was up until midnight last night with Karen Foli, Ben, and their family. Besides being Every Mom, Foli is a solid thinker, a strong communicator, and a mystery writer. This book unfolds like a popular novel, so you stand right next to the protagonist as she unravels the issue of APD, finally getting diagnoses and treatment.
This book is on my short list for young teachers, along with Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence, Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic,Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness, and Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know about the Emerging Science of Sex Differences. Like many of these books, Like Sound Though Water reflects how rapidly improving technology can and should change the way we teach. Like all of them, this book will help teachers empathize with families. APD can be very frustrating for everyone, including harried classroom teachers. When you've worn yourself out trying everything to hook a kid, it's easy to blame family or the kid himself. This book will help you keep your eyes open for other causes for classroom difficulties.
Okay, now I'm going to get on my soapbox: I think one of the reasons I had to stay up so late reading this was that I was internally screaming "Someone get this kid to an audiologist!" I was totally not surprised that the first person to recognize processing problems was a lady who ran a little church basement kindergarten, and I firmly believe that if Foli had Ben in a public school first, the problem would have been identified sooner. Public school teachers are required to have more training and diversity in our student population is not just country of origin. We've seen more.
Anyway, great book for all readers but especially parents, teachers, and medical folks.

My 3rd grade son was just diagnosed with auditory processing disorder and I found this book to be informative and a pleasure to read. My son's condition isn't as severe as the author's son's; however, I could identify with her frustrations before the diagnosis. The author brought up 2 new treatment strategies that I was unaware of-Fast ForWord and Earobics. I have already recommended this book to friends and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in APD.

This book is great for anybody who have a deaf dog even deaf puppies, hard of hearing dog and elderly dogs who are getting deaf. It explained what to do with a deaf dog like how to do hand signals, what to do to get the dog's attention, what not to do and so on. It even have the stories about the owners who have experiences with their deaf dog/puppy. Previous owner who bought my dog when she was a puppy and realized something wrong with her. The ear infections caused her some hearing loss. They find hard to deal with her. They want to put her down but they couldn't do it so they asked the Breeder to do it for them and of course, the Breeder took her but never put her down. The Breeder couldn't find someone who want a hard of hearing dog until a year later I contacted him about the puppies but the Breeder doesn't have any puppy available at that time and then I mentioned to him that I noticed the picture of her on his website and asked the Breeder if that's my dog's little sister and he said yes. He said he is willing to give her to me if I'm interesting so I said I'll give it try. He knows that I will give her a good home and have patience with her b/c I'm hearing impaired, too. He found out that my dog (I bought my dog from him when my dog was a puppy) have learned hand signals without the voice so I can do the same thing with her. The first few days it was difficult b/c she have not had socialized with stranger dogs outside the farm and then after that she was getting use to my dog and now they became great friends. My dog taught her how to play "tag" game and "chase" game. She learned by watching my dog how to catch the ball in the air and she just learned it few weeks ago! Hooray!! She was so exciting what she did it b/c she was wagging her tail so hard and looked at me and my dog like "I DID IT! That was FUN! I want to do it AGAIN!" I thank the Breeder for saving her life for not putting her down. Sure, deaf dogs and hard of hearing dogs are little harder but some hearing dogs are difficult as well. I had no problem with her and I was happy about her. She is so darn cute and funny like her big brother.

I was recently found out that my great dane has extreme hearing difficulties and will more than likely be totally deaf within a year. I looked for books regarding deaf dogs. There were not many out there. I purchased this book and it was a wonderful beginning. I have gone on to purchase a pocket dictionary of signing and am working my own signs in with my dog. I recommend anyone who is just starting out working with a deaf dog to read this book.

The book was helpful and offered suggestions that I didn't think of. It was nice to hear someone's perspective on the matter.

I was freaking out when I found out my new baby(pup) is deaf. "Living With a Deaf Dog" was a life saver. I felt so more at ease after reading the first few pages. I also had family and friends that interact with Kiko read it. Kiko was my wild child and is now on her way to being a well behaved adult.

This book tremendously helped me understand my 3 yr. old deaf dog, Patch so much better. I didn't understand some of his behaviors and I could not find helpful books at the library. From the author's stories, tips, and advice, I have a much better understanding of what he goes through and why he exhibits some behaviors. I've had him for a year with trial especially with walking him. Since I've read this book, he and I have a much better understanding of each other. He is so willing to learn, the tips the author gave proved to be so useful! Great book! Thank you!

I first checked this book out of the library. Once I read it, I knew I needed to have my own copy to use as a reference tool. Although the book is a narrative, it provides good insight into the struggles of finding an accurate diagnosis. It also is a good reminder to listen to your instincts.

Great resource for parents: well--written easy to understand.
Great resource for Speech-Language Pathologists, too. Increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed with auditory processing disorders. It is often overlooked as a possible factor for poor performance in the classroom.

Do yourself and your loved one a favor: become knowledgeable about the full implications of life with an auditory processing disorder. This well-written, approachable book is an outstanding reference for parents and teachers who must live with, work with, and advocate for, children and adults who struggle with receiving information from the world around them.

I love this book as even the title has been very helpful in explaining the unique challenges that face my son to family and teachers.

Information about Auditory Processing Disorder is not wisely available. What is out there is brief, repetitive and minimal. I find lot of textbooks at a cost $100+/- but this is the only lay person book I have found that does the subject juctice.

Even Speech Lanuage Therapist do not have a good undertanding of this disorder unless they specialize in it. We wasted 9 months with a SPT-CCC who thought she know how to treat it - but really didn't. She just used a mixture of Language Processing techniques with poor results.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. I have read it several times and keep learning from it.

If you looking for information about Auditory Processing Disorder - someone you love must be suffering from it and for that I am so very sorry. As a mother of a son with it life is challeging for our whole family, but especially him. Finally, realizing what was "wrong" has helped a lot. I am relieved that he isn't incorrigible, but that there is a medical explaination.

This is an OUTSTANDING book! My son was recently diagnosed with APD and I am doing everything I can to educate myself and learn how to best help him. I read this book cover to cover and found it very informational and presented in a practical, laymens' terms, manner. Chapters reference the disorder from early childhood to seniors with specific and valuable ways to help the individual with APD be successful. This book is a must for parents and teachers alike! I cannot praise this book enough! I'd give it 6 stars if I could!

The author created a lovely story, gorgeously written and richly detailed. The story portrays a resourceful, passionate and delightful optimist determined to triumph over all odds. It is written with elegant prose. The main character, Veda, challenges tradition to find an acceptable life that includes love. She is a fascinating character who provides an intersting and fresh look at 1860's English society (craftsmen class vs. aristocratic class). Americans don't think of class in the same manner as 19th century England; this theme is captured throughout the book but without prejudice toward the nobility. Graham does a great job of illustrating class distinctions, gender roles, and the difficulties that they represent.

Janice Graham weaves a wonderful story line with rich, well-researched details of the Victorian era as well as vibrant, three dimensional character portrayals in her must-read historical romance, The Tailor's Daughter. That the novel is written in the first person rings true, because the character of Veda is so subjectively and veritably drawn, so sensitively explored, all within the confines of Veda's personal limits and the limits of the social milieu. This is a great, cannot put it down read for any Book Club or pleasure reader.

The deafness will make you stop to think how deafness would affect each of us. It points out how impossible it is to truly understand what total deafness is like.

If she hadn't been a teen-ager when she became deaf her life would have had even more challenges.

It was good to read a book that was entertaining as well as thought provoking. Everyone in our book club enjoyed the book.

A great read, especially if you enjoy historical fiction. The struggles Veda endured in Victorian England as a woman in the tailoring world and a a deaf person kept me from putting the book down.

Terrific!! This book is very elegant and very realistic. It really tells the life of deaf woman and the troubles she faces from other people's ridicules, being excluded from conversations, the tiring practice of lip reading, and the feelings of hopelessness that accompany the affliction. I am a hearing impaired woman myself and I was shocked that someone out there understands. The heroine is a terrific woman that overcomes everything life throws at her, and life throws A LOT her way. The first quarter of the book is about her childhood and gives the reader tremendous insight into what makes Veda the woman she is. As a deaf woman in the victorian era, she did not have a major selection of potential suitors, but romance finds her. I loved the scandalousness and spunk she showed by donning male attire. She also proved to be a outspoken, brave person. I did not really care for the ending or the choices this incredibly forgiving woman made, but the book and the story and the writing were all very lovely. Truely a story that will give women hope, deaf or blind or not handicapped at all. My only complaint is that I would have liked to learn more about the times and customs of this era. The book was not very detailed regarding everyday mundane life in the times.

We chose this book for our book club and EVERYONE LOVED IT! What great insights into the deaf culture.

Honest, open, and very well written. Authors parents and my parents are long time friends. Although I do not know the author, we probably met as kids. The deaf community is a very close knit group. Deaf parents are very caring and loving. It's a one day, cover to cover read.

I was supposed to read this book for my Sign Language class, but I started the first chapter, and was incredibly bored. This book is slow, and boring.

I went to high school with Lou Ann. We were not good friends, but I knew her parents were deaf. At that time, I felt that Lou Ann was diligent with her studies and way too mature for us to be friends. I read this book many years ago. I loved the book and knew some of the people she mentioned. I am in a book club now and I am going to recommend this story. I think it is a good read for anyone. Lou Ann was a kind person and I'm sure she has helped many people in the deaf community. Even today, I think there is a great variance in how different members of the deaf community interact with the hearing population.

As the oldest child in a family with deaf parents, I can totally relate to what the author went through. I was disturbed by a few of the reviews I read though. People are so quick to judge when they don't have a clue about the world that hearing children of deaf parents live in. I went through all the same experiences that the author did as well as many more. As the oldest child I too was responsible for all the interpreting and basically felt as though I was "raising" my parents instead of the other way around. It is not a fun way to grow up. I found myself annoyed by the reviewer who said they found deaf people to be "fun" and that the author was too dour and negative about the deaf culture. Don't be so quick to judge until you walk in our shoes. The deaf community I was exposed to was not a "fun" one. They were, as a whole, a very distrusting, backstabbing, and gossipy group. I am NOT saying all deaf people are this way! I can only relate what MY personal experiences were. The reviewers who said that it seemed to be the author's own "personality quirks" that made her experience life with deaf parents the way she did don't have a clue either. We are basically products of our upbringing and the life we live as a child. Yes, we can choose as adults to move forward and overcome much of the damage that may have been done, BUT you cannot change who you are nor can you erase the person you are completely. And much of that is formed in childhood, a childhood that is VERY different from mainstream society if you grow up as a hearing child with deaf parents. I suffer from anxiety I believe it is because of the overpowering sense of responsibility I was burdened with as a child, which I cannot seem to shake as an adult and mother of 4. Anyone studying ASL or truly trying to gain insight into the deaf world would definitely benefit from reading this novel.

wow. a great insight of the different social divides between the haves (affluent jews) and have nots (jews living in the ghetto) .. all living in iran. Centered around a jewish girl living in the ghetto who through her gusto personality ended up living in the affluent jews arena, or so she thought; and you get to experience her journey through innocent eyes of a girl and as she matures into motherhood. You also get to see another side through her daughter. hauntingly powerful and the story is written so well that it was a page turner for me. Socially climbing and acceptance is still rife in this day and age; so it was an interesting and poignant recognition of our society.

I really love books like this that give me an interesting story that keeps me turning pages while at the same time informs me, teaches me so many nuances of another culture. I felt the author wrote with great insight and also with wisdom in her characterizations. She looks at these people like a Sherlock Holmesian Freud or Jung and does a good job of it too.

I also loved the way she included the eccentric folks that lived across the street. Iran has known so much tragedy. More than a few times I thanked my lucky stars that I was born in the United States while I was reading this book. Yet at the same time so many personal dynamics were mirrors of exactly what people experience anywhere and everywhere. It was enlightening for me as well as educational and entertaining.

With lush prose and surgical precision, Nahai examines pre-revolutionary Iran, a country hobbled by a social system so oppressive it crushes every one within it. Muslims and Jews live side by side, and each of their worlds is as socially stratified as the other. The novel is narrated by the young daughter of a wealthy Jew and her penniless mother, and she details their increasing desperation as her father falls in love with a Muslim woman. His abandonment of them leaves them emotionally bereft and socially isolated in a world that has no place for them. Brilliant and affecting. You will think about this novel for days after reading it.

Gina Nahai is one the most creative and literate authors working today and should find a regular place on the bestseller lists for her impressive storytelling talent. Her exquisite writing and character development never fails to keep me coming back for more.

Once I started reading "Caspian Rain" I couldn't put it down. Without giving away too much of the story, all I can say is that Ms. Nahai captures your interest with her complex and fascinating characters examined and described in her exquisite prose. You feel the heart and soul of the characters and every moment and situations resonates that much more deeply. I love to read anything Ms. Nahai writes and look forward to her next novel. I highly recommend "Caspian Rain" to anyone who loves to be drawn into a story that takes you to a place about universal themes dealing with real human emotions of loss and acceptance.

Reading Caspian Rain, by Gina Nahai, is like opening a golden treasure chest. Inside it, you will find all kinds of intriguing and fascinating objects. There are several interconnected stories being told . First there is the heartbreaking story of an innocent little girl, Yaas, who desperately longs for the love of her parents. In reading the book, the reader can feel her anguish, as she tries every which way to be noticed and loved. There is the story of the intelligent and ambitious Bahar, Yaas's mother, a story in which the reader can actually taste the bitterness that Bahar is left with, when she realizes that she cannot conquer any of the barriers that will forever keep her from realizing any of her dreams. There is the story of Omid, an emotionally stunted man who, while being the son of privilege, has come from a community which, as a result of being faced with deep prejudices, has had to downplay its' ethnicity and become self loathing . Finally, there are the very rich descriptions of the sounds, sights and smells of Tehran, a fourth character in the novel; a bustling city where the contradictions between the old and the new are funny, tragic and endless. The book was truly unforgettable.

I think this book is a plus for unsure parents.

Second only to Paul Ogden's "Silent Garden" (which treats of a broader range of issues than does "Choices") this is the most balanced and readable book specifically dealing with deaf education and communications options that we (hearing parents of profoundly deaf toddler) have yet found. There is a very good mix of professional articles and actual parental stories, recently supplemented by updates from the children themselves, now mostly grown. This is the only book of its kind that we have seen that provides actual audiograms for most stundets/subjects, something hearing parents MUST have in order to relate the stories in "Choices" to THEIR kids' situation. (I only wish AIDED audiograms had been consistently included as well, since those are nearly as important as basic audiograms.) I dont suggest tinkering with success, but I do think somewhat more information on the failure rates for given options should have been given, since it is far too easy for us as parents to imagine OUR child as being the succesful student portrayed in each section, thus short-chaging the down-side risks of each option. Also, it might have been nice if a few more stories of deaf people who DIDNT live in Maryland at some point in their life could have been included. That's hardly a real criticsm, though, and I conclude by this book highly.

I'm one of the people who was published in this book, under the Cued Speech section, and I did add a supplement to it. I think this book is a MUST read by any new parent of a deaf child. It presents a clear, un-biased outline of all options available for your child, (although I'm biased and believe that the Cued Speech option is a no-brainer. :-) but its still a excellent book and well-written and edited. Kudos to Sue Schwartz!

As a mom with a one year old newly diagnosed as severely deaf, I found this book very helpful. After going online and learning of all the controversy surrounding deaf issues,it was refreshing to find a book that gave equal time to differing views. This book led me to making the choice that is right for our child and our family. I loved that it gave professional veiwpoints for each language-learning option, as well as the story of a family that chose each of the various options.

This is a great book!!

After our child was diagnosed with deafness, we were overwelmed with so much information, so many decisions to make. This book offers a nonbiased, comprehensive outline of the educational options available for deaf children. I use it as a reference manual and read it three or four times after my son's diagnosis. We're four years down the road now and I'm going to read it again. There is a wealth of information here. It is the first book I recommend parents read after finding out their child is deaf.

This is a very quick read that doesn't leave you quickly. Ball has written a book with violence that we never see; with characters we don' t really get to know; set in a place we never identify; about events that hopefully will never happen.

He has a relaxed style of writing that makes the story move along. I hope he writes more - soon!

I will spare you specifics about the book, as this is well-covered elsewhere on these interweb-tubes. Another motivation for this is because I wish for each new reader of Samedi to discover the story on their own terms as much as possible. I was looking forward to reading this novel by the poet Jesse Ball ever since I saw it was to be released. Once I got my hands on the advanced reader's copy, I paused my reading only for sleep and eating. It can go by quickly if you aren't careful to savor it, yet you don't feel as if the book is whipping you along. At the same time, the wonder and preciousness of each moment comes through in the book. The story feels like a distinct character, as if it has it's own life and agency. You come across little wisdoms uttered by the characters which initially feel as if they are meant to remain within the realm of the book, but as the book seeps into you you start to wonder which ones might function well outside the pages. And there are deeper wisdoms here, stretching across pages and sections of the book, which take longer to seep in.

The imagination present in this story is inspirational, as it is not a separate entity but the well up from which the story is drawn. Scenes from the book are still swirling about my head. I say this in contrast to another author whom I enjoy, who blurs the line between reality and the sub-/un-conscious (imaginary?), thus making reality feel unstable and foggy. This is enjoyable on its own merits, if you enjoy such a challenge. Ball's work is assured in its vagaries and imagination, which imparts a confidence on the reader rather than a fog, bringing its own challenges to the reader and reinforcing the reader's suspension of disbelief. While I speak of confidences, I should mention that Ball's writing style makes it feels like the story is being told directly to you, bestowed in confidence not to be disclosed to others. What a feeling to be in collusion with an author while reading their words!

Samedi is a good introduction to Ball's fiction writing style, which has a feel akin to prose poetry. There is talk of another of his novels being released sometime in 2008, which promises to delve deeper into imaginative realms. His other publications are worth your time, including a collection of poetry, March Book, and a collection of short stories/prose poems about an atrocious couple with a stirring joie de vivre, Vera & Linus, written with poet Thordis Bjornsdottir.

I urge you to explore the website for Samedi the Deafness, which includes audio of the author reading excerpts, videos produced by the author, and promotional materials for the populace to spread the word about Samedi. The Flash plug-in is necessary.

There are seven days in a week
Sunday, Monday
Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday
Saturday*

*(popular children's ditty)

This is a strange book
Unreal
The writing style can be disjointed
Yet strangely poetic
And you can't put it down
For fear you miss something
But still
It's weird

Set over a seven day period
There's no prize for guessing
That it ends on
Saturday

The hero's name is James
James is a mnemonist
Which means he can remember lots of stuff
In a very short time
Which you will agree is pretty weird
But then things get weirder
When he comes across a man
With stab wounds
Who dies

Then there be suicides
And James is kidnapped
And taken to a verisylum
Which is where they treat chronic liars
If you can believe that

But then it gets more interesting

The building is like a maze
With rules that would delight Lewis Carroll
And people have more than one name
Except for those whose names are the same
And he falls in love
And out of love
And in again
And he learns that he can't trust anybody
Obviously

The tension builds
As the author skillfully creates
His vision
Of what's going to happen
On Saturday

Dark and strange
Read this is you're looking for something
Different
Weird
And twisted



Amanda Richards, May 10, 2008

I was held spellbound by the clever, twisting plot of this mystery by Jesse Ball. This book is a must for anyone who wants to read something unique.

After reading a review of Jesse Ball's premiere work "Samedi the Deafness," one quickly concludes that they are encountering a unique new talent with the potential to produce even more surprising works of prose in the future.

That expectation does not mean that the present work is not strikingly original in its own right - only that one gets the sense that there is more where that came from...a very encouraging prospect.

"Samedi the Deafness" is a difficult work to categorize, containing a myriad of poetic phrases sprinkled throughout the choppy, occasionally disjointed sentences and paragraphs. Some pages contain only one line, while others are formatted to reveal the dialogue among characters. It is an interesting construct that stops being a distraction after the first chapter and gives the novel a sort of lyrical cadence all its own.

The plot can be a bit difficult to track sometimes, existing as a silver thread woven throughout the dreamlike descriptions of the locations and characters surrounding the narrator. Any detailed summary would reveal too much; suffice to say, the narrator happens upon a dying man in a park who informs him with his dying breaths that the world is in danger from the foreboding character of Samedi and that he must be stopped.

As a result of this chance encounter, the narrator enters a swirling vortex of pathological liars and hidden motives, housed within the labarynthine halls of a mental institution. It is an odd trip to be sure, but the pay off is a good one.

When Samedi's ultimate plan is revealed, it's haunting ramifications echo the postmodern masterwork, "Blindness," by Jose Saramago. This is fine company indeed.

"Samedi the Deafness" is an original and thought-provoking read best suited for those who don't mind being challenged by their fiction. It is a work well worth trying for yourself.

- S.

First of all, why is this book selling for so much? The cover price is $16.95! I felt ripped off because my college bookstore sold it to me for $17.50.
OK, about the book- it truely touched me. While reading this book, you are not only exploring the feelings and thoughts that the deaf community goes through, but your own reactions to them. If you are like me, I know you will not feel the same about deaf people once you read this! I no longer feel sorry for people who cannot hear, and am embarassed for feeling pitty for them. I wish I was as strong willed and determined as this author!

I have read many books written by the Deaf or parents of the Deaf. This book is outstanding! All parents of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children must read this book. Mark Drolsbaugh shares his experiences being forced into the hearing world by well intended but misguided professionals and his hearing grandparents. He was even denied the Deaf culture of his own Deaf parents. He honestly explains the advantages and disadvantages of being educated in an auditory/oral environment. As an adult, he experiences joy and relief in finding his true idenity. No one but those who possess the personal insight of being Deaf or Hard of Hearing can related to these sensitive and complicated issues that require in depth understanding. The cochlear implant is not a quick fix, one-way ticket to the hearing world.

After reading this book I must say that it is a great introductory piece for ASL students. Hard facts about the loss of identity many deaf children face when discouraged to sign (essentially, to effectively communicate) are wonderfully brought to light. Those who wish to understand what Oral Schools are about and the detrimant they cause I encourage to read this book. Those interested in teaching in Residential Schools for the Deaf are also urged. This book gives one a feel for the isolation felt by many deaf people. An easy read and an interesting one.

Mark Drolsbaugh tells a fascinating true story that demonstrates how a person's minority culture can be almost obliterated with the best of intentions by those in the majority. His story demonstrates that society today still will not believe the needs of a minority group, even when they express their needs in quite understandable words (signs). The beauty of this work, however, is that it is a happy story with no animosity toward those who would have Mark be someone other than who he really is. Mark's revelations about discovering his true culture, his successes which have followed his discovery, and his fulfillment as a Deaf person could be the story of so many other Deaf individuals. This book should be a MUST read for any hearing parent whose child has been identified with a hearing loss. The professional working with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing (especially those with prelingual hearing loss) should read this. It will provide them with a valuable insight into the life of a Deaf or hard of hearing child.

Despite the wishes of two sophisticated Deaf parents that their hard-of-hearing son be educated in all-hearing schools, he learns their happy secret anyway -- that there's a whole lot more to life and doing well in a world prejudiced against the deaf than pretending to hear when you can't. With humor and gentle self-deprecation, Mark Drolsbaugh, a Deaf guidance counselor at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, exposes the isolation and relentless humiliations that plague a lone hard-of-hearing child in the regular schools. Once he embraces the Deaf culture of his parents, he then returns to the "hearing side" of his mother's family with the ability to help them understand and accept deafness with a love and pride that was not possible before.

This book is a must for anyone who either knows or has a hard-of-hearing child in the regular schools, but is a fun read for anyone, whether conversant about the Deaf community or not.