October 23, 2025
David AshLSC 513
Week 7 Assignment Book Talk
start >
Book Talk Video
begin by clicking to watch the video first
click below to hear the asl to spoken english translation
continue
How to use this presentation
You can click through the presentation pages freely at your own pace. Every word you’ll hear is written on the slides, so feel free to read along as you listen. Each page includes audio. Just click the small audio icon to begin playing.
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Have you ever read a book where silence says more than words? That’s the thread connecting the books I’ve chosen. Each features a character living with some form of hearing loss. .
Beyond sound. Stories that resonate
next
Some characters born Deaf, others who lose their hearing later in life. But what stands out isn’t their silence, it’s how they make their voices heard. These stories reflect diversity in the truest sense, spanning Deaf culture, queerness, family, identity, love, and survival. And each one opens a door for readers who may finally see themselves on the page .
next
Chella is Deaf, trans, genderqueer, Jewish, and Chinese American. In this short memoir, he explores what it means to live on a “continuum” of identity rather than inside a box. His writing is raw and honest, showing what it’s like to build a sense of self when the world keeps trying to define you. It’s a reminder for young readers. Especially those with multiple intersecting identities that they don’t need to choose which part of themselves to be proud of. They can be all of it.
"Continuum" by CHella Man
next
Julia is a Deaf Indian American teen and a graffiti artist who ends up at a mainstream high school after tagging over a slur about her best friend. She’s strong, sarcastic, and creative, but she’s also isolated in a world that doesn’t understand her. What makes this book stand out are the visuals—Gardner uses blank spaces where Julia can’t lip-read and graffiti illustrations to show her true voice. It’s a perfect example of art as communication, and how Deafness doesn’t limit expression, it transforms it.
next is "you're welcome, universe" by whitney gardner
next
Then there’s Sugaring Off by Gillian French, a quieter story but just as powerful. Owl, a partially Deaf teen in rural New Hampshire, is trying to find peace in her small world after trauma and isolation. French blends a mystery with Owl’s journey toward self-acceptance and connection to the Deaf community. I love how this story shows that Deaf identity can develop at any stage in life. It’s not about when you lose hearing, but how you find belonging.
"Sugaring off"by gillian french
next
We meet Simon, a musician who wakes up one day completely deaf. His grief is raw and real, but so is his curiosity as he starts to rebuild his world. What makes this book special is that it refuses to make Deafness something to “fix.” Instead, Simon discovers that music, like identity, can exist beyond sound. It’s a thoughtful, emotional story about redefining what matters most when everything familiar changes.
"the impossible music"by sean williams
next
Finally, On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino brings a lighter tone but still tackles serious themes. Ellie, a Deaf teen, has to transfer to a hearing high school after her residential school closes. She faces ableism, bad interpreting, and family who just don’t get it. But she also finds connection with Jackson, a classmate dealing with his own hidden disability. Sortino writes about Deafness with humor and honesty. It’s not a tragedy, it’s just life. Ellie’s story shows Deaf readers, and really any reader with a disability, that joy and love belong in their stories too.
"on the bright side"by anna sortino
next
Let's take a look at what you should definitely read next!
next
What happens when silence and dust become louder than words?That’s the world of Dust by Alison Stine is a gripping, emotional story about survival, control, and finding your own voice. Sixteen-year-old Thea is hard of hearing and used to isolation. When her father moves their family to an off-the-grid farm in Colorado, she’s cut off from everything—no internet, no books, no freedom. Her only escape is a part-time job at the town café, where she meets Ray, a Deaf teen who teaches her sign language and opens her world in ways she never imagined. As dust storms rage and her father’s control tightens, Thea learns that Deafness isn’t something to hide but it’s part of her identity and a bridge to connection. Stine’s writing captures that mix of fear and hope perfectly: how silence can hold both pain and peace. Dust isn’t just about hearing loss. It’s about being heard. It shows Deaf teens feeling the same love, anger, and courage as everyone else. For library collections, it’s a powerful addition that connects readers through emotion, not difference.
"Dusty" by Allison Stine
next
The Loudest Silence is a quiet, powerful story about finding your voice after everything changes. Casey has just lost her hearing and moves to Miami determined to stay invisible. Then she meets Hayden—a soccer star hiding his anxiety and secret love of theater. What begins as ASL lessons turns into a deep, supportive friendship built on trust, creativity, and honesty.Langford, who is Deaf-Hard of Hearing herself, writes with heart and authenticity. Through Casey’s story, we see both the frustration and freedom of living between the Deaf and hearing worlds. This book isn’t about overcoming disability. It’s about belonging, identity, and the kind of friendship that makes you feel seen. A beautiful, inclusive addition to any library serving Deaf or queer teens.
"the loudest silence" by Sydnesy Langford
next
Waiting for a Sign is a heartfelt story about family, grief, and the space that can grow between hearing and Deaf worlds.Shelly and her older brother, Ian, were once inseparable. But ever since Ian left for the Hawthorne School for the Deaf, things have changed. He’s more distant, more angry, and Shelly feels completely left behind. When he returns home with news that his school might close, tension rises and Shelly has to decide whether to keep resenting him or finally try to understand what his Deaf identity means to him. What I love about this book is how it gently opens the door to Deaf culture through Shelly’s eyes. We see the family’s struggle to communicate, the frustration when they forget to sign, and the powerful sense of belonging Ian finds at Hawthorne. When tragedy strikes, both siblings have to relearn what connection really means. Schachter’s writing is simple but honest. She captures what happens when love and misunderstanding collide and how empathy can rebuild what’s been lost. Waiting for a Sign is a great choice for middle and early high school readers, especially those just beginning to explore Deaf culture or sibling relationships. It reminds us that sometimes understanding isn’t about speaking louder, but it’s about learning to listen in a new way.
"Waiting for a SIgn" by ESTY SCHACHTER
next
So here’s my closing thought:
When you build your next display or recommend a book, think about adding titles like these stories that sign in their own way. Stories where Deafness isn’t a limitation. It’s a lens.
Because true inclusion isn’t just about putting characters with disabilities on the page, it’s about showing them living full, complex lives. The books we covered today do exactly that. They remind us that Deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults experience the same emotions, relationships, struggles, and triumphs as anyone else pain, joy, friendship, heartbreak, discovery.
When our students see Deaf characters thriving across genres. Falling in love, solving mysteries, creating art, finding their voices. They don’t just read about representation; they feel seen, understood, and connected. And for hearing readers, these stories build empathy and break down stereotypes, reminding them that the Deaf experience is part of the shared human story.
So as librarians, we have the power to make that connection happen one shelf, one book, one story at a time.
next
Bibliography
Asphyxia. (2021). The Words in My Hand. New York: Annick Press.
BookTalk! (2025). What is a book talk? Retrieved from Mr. L's Class: https://mrlestagegrade4.weebly.com/book-talks.html
Coleman, J. (2003). The Prop Connection: Bringing Books to Life. Library Media Connection, 22(3), 26.
French, G. (2022). Sugaring Off. Chicago: Algonquin.
Khorram, A. (2024). The Breakup List. New York: Dial Books.
Kirkus. (n.d.). Book Lists. Retrieved from Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Langford, S. (2024). The Loudest Silence. New York: Holiday House.
Man, C. (2021). CONTINUUM. New York: Penguin Workshop.
Rivers, O. (2016). Tone Deaf. New York: Sky Pony Press.
Sage, K. (n.d.). How to Give a Book Talk. Retrieved from Curiosity Encouraged: https://curiosityencouraged.com/how-to-give-a-book-talk/
Schachter, E. (2016). Waiting for A SIgn. New York: Lewis Court Press.
SLJ. (2025). School Libraries. Retrieved from School Library Journal: https://www.slj.com/section/schoollibraries
Sortino, A. (2024). On The Brightside. New York: Putnam.
Stine, A. (2024). Dust. New York: Wednesday Books.
Williams, S. (2019). Impossible Music. New York: Clarion Books.
Witton, H. (2018). Doint It. Naperville: Sourcebooks Fire. Click for PDF version
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Transcript
October 23, 2025
David AshLSC 513
Week 7 Assignment Book Talk
start >
Book Talk Video
begin by clicking to watch the video first
click below to hear the asl to spoken english translation
continue
How to use this presentation
You can click through the presentation pages freely at your own pace. Every word you’ll hear is written on the slides, so feel free to read along as you listen. Each page includes audio. Just click the small audio icon to begin playing.
next
Have you ever read a book where silence says more than words? That’s the thread connecting the books I’ve chosen. Each features a character living with some form of hearing loss. .
Beyond sound. Stories that resonate
next
Some characters born Deaf, others who lose their hearing later in life. But what stands out isn’t their silence, it’s how they make their voices heard. These stories reflect diversity in the truest sense, spanning Deaf culture, queerness, family, identity, love, and survival. And each one opens a door for readers who may finally see themselves on the page .
next
Chella is Deaf, trans, genderqueer, Jewish, and Chinese American. In this short memoir, he explores what it means to live on a “continuum” of identity rather than inside a box. His writing is raw and honest, showing what it’s like to build a sense of self when the world keeps trying to define you. It’s a reminder for young readers. Especially those with multiple intersecting identities that they don’t need to choose which part of themselves to be proud of. They can be all of it.
"Continuum" by CHella Man
next
Julia is a Deaf Indian American teen and a graffiti artist who ends up at a mainstream high school after tagging over a slur about her best friend. She’s strong, sarcastic, and creative, but she’s also isolated in a world that doesn’t understand her. What makes this book stand out are the visuals—Gardner uses blank spaces where Julia can’t lip-read and graffiti illustrations to show her true voice. It’s a perfect example of art as communication, and how Deafness doesn’t limit expression, it transforms it.
next is "you're welcome, universe" by whitney gardner
next
Then there’s Sugaring Off by Gillian French, a quieter story but just as powerful. Owl, a partially Deaf teen in rural New Hampshire, is trying to find peace in her small world after trauma and isolation. French blends a mystery with Owl’s journey toward self-acceptance and connection to the Deaf community. I love how this story shows that Deaf identity can develop at any stage in life. It’s not about when you lose hearing, but how you find belonging.
"Sugaring off"by gillian french
next
We meet Simon, a musician who wakes up one day completely deaf. His grief is raw and real, but so is his curiosity as he starts to rebuild his world. What makes this book special is that it refuses to make Deafness something to “fix.” Instead, Simon discovers that music, like identity, can exist beyond sound. It’s a thoughtful, emotional story about redefining what matters most when everything familiar changes.
"the impossible music"by sean williams
next
Finally, On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino brings a lighter tone but still tackles serious themes. Ellie, a Deaf teen, has to transfer to a hearing high school after her residential school closes. She faces ableism, bad interpreting, and family who just don’t get it. But she also finds connection with Jackson, a classmate dealing with his own hidden disability. Sortino writes about Deafness with humor and honesty. It’s not a tragedy, it’s just life. Ellie’s story shows Deaf readers, and really any reader with a disability, that joy and love belong in their stories too.
"on the bright side"by anna sortino
next
Let's take a look at what you should definitely read next!
next
What happens when silence and dust become louder than words?That’s the world of Dust by Alison Stine is a gripping, emotional story about survival, control, and finding your own voice. Sixteen-year-old Thea is hard of hearing and used to isolation. When her father moves their family to an off-the-grid farm in Colorado, she’s cut off from everything—no internet, no books, no freedom. Her only escape is a part-time job at the town café, where she meets Ray, a Deaf teen who teaches her sign language and opens her world in ways she never imagined. As dust storms rage and her father’s control tightens, Thea learns that Deafness isn’t something to hide but it’s part of her identity and a bridge to connection. Stine’s writing captures that mix of fear and hope perfectly: how silence can hold both pain and peace. Dust isn’t just about hearing loss. It’s about being heard. It shows Deaf teens feeling the same love, anger, and courage as everyone else. For library collections, it’s a powerful addition that connects readers through emotion, not difference.
"Dusty" by Allison Stine
next
The Loudest Silence is a quiet, powerful story about finding your voice after everything changes. Casey has just lost her hearing and moves to Miami determined to stay invisible. Then she meets Hayden—a soccer star hiding his anxiety and secret love of theater. What begins as ASL lessons turns into a deep, supportive friendship built on trust, creativity, and honesty.Langford, who is Deaf-Hard of Hearing herself, writes with heart and authenticity. Through Casey’s story, we see both the frustration and freedom of living between the Deaf and hearing worlds. This book isn’t about overcoming disability. It’s about belonging, identity, and the kind of friendship that makes you feel seen. A beautiful, inclusive addition to any library serving Deaf or queer teens.
"the loudest silence" by Sydnesy Langford
next
Waiting for a Sign is a heartfelt story about family, grief, and the space that can grow between hearing and Deaf worlds.Shelly and her older brother, Ian, were once inseparable. But ever since Ian left for the Hawthorne School for the Deaf, things have changed. He’s more distant, more angry, and Shelly feels completely left behind. When he returns home with news that his school might close, tension rises and Shelly has to decide whether to keep resenting him or finally try to understand what his Deaf identity means to him. What I love about this book is how it gently opens the door to Deaf culture through Shelly’s eyes. We see the family’s struggle to communicate, the frustration when they forget to sign, and the powerful sense of belonging Ian finds at Hawthorne. When tragedy strikes, both siblings have to relearn what connection really means. Schachter’s writing is simple but honest. She captures what happens when love and misunderstanding collide and how empathy can rebuild what’s been lost. Waiting for a Sign is a great choice for middle and early high school readers, especially those just beginning to explore Deaf culture or sibling relationships. It reminds us that sometimes understanding isn’t about speaking louder, but it’s about learning to listen in a new way.
"Waiting for a SIgn" by ESTY SCHACHTER
next
So here’s my closing thought: When you build your next display or recommend a book, think about adding titles like these stories that sign in their own way. Stories where Deafness isn’t a limitation. It’s a lens. Because true inclusion isn’t just about putting characters with disabilities on the page, it’s about showing them living full, complex lives. The books we covered today do exactly that. They remind us that Deaf and hard-of-hearing young adults experience the same emotions, relationships, struggles, and triumphs as anyone else pain, joy, friendship, heartbreak, discovery. When our students see Deaf characters thriving across genres. Falling in love, solving mysteries, creating art, finding their voices. They don’t just read about representation; they feel seen, understood, and connected. And for hearing readers, these stories build empathy and break down stereotypes, reminding them that the Deaf experience is part of the shared human story. So as librarians, we have the power to make that connection happen one shelf, one book, one story at a time.
next
Bibliography
Asphyxia. (2021). The Words in My Hand. New York: Annick Press. BookTalk! (2025). What is a book talk? Retrieved from Mr. L's Class: https://mrlestagegrade4.weebly.com/book-talks.html Coleman, J. (2003). The Prop Connection: Bringing Books to Life. Library Media Connection, 22(3), 26. French, G. (2022). Sugaring Off. Chicago: Algonquin. Khorram, A. (2024). The Breakup List. New York: Dial Books. Kirkus. (n.d.). Book Lists. Retrieved from Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ Langford, S. (2024). The Loudest Silence. New York: Holiday House. Man, C. (2021). CONTINUUM. New York: Penguin Workshop. Rivers, O. (2016). Tone Deaf. New York: Sky Pony Press. Sage, K. (n.d.). How to Give a Book Talk. Retrieved from Curiosity Encouraged: https://curiosityencouraged.com/how-to-give-a-book-talk/ Schachter, E. (2016). Waiting for A SIgn. New York: Lewis Court Press. SLJ. (2025). School Libraries. Retrieved from School Library Journal: https://www.slj.com/section/schoollibraries Sortino, A. (2024). On The Brightside. New York: Putnam. Stine, A. (2024). Dust. New York: Wednesday Books. Williams, S. (2019). Impossible Music. New York: Clarion Books. Witton, H. (2018). Doint It. Naperville: Sourcebooks Fire. Click for PDF version