True Biz
True Biz ~ Sara Novic
Charlie is a new student at River Valley School for the Deaf, where she is playing catch-up to the other students, who all know American Sign Language. Charlie has a cochlear implant, which has never really worked, and she is far behind her peers in language skills because of this.
February is the dean of the school, a hearing woman with deaf parents, who understands the issues involved, and fights hard for civil rights for her students, and for her school.
Austin is the son of a deaf mother and a hearing father, whose parents are well known in the local deaf community, and is extremely popular at the River Valley. The arrival of a baby sister disrupts his relationship with his parents.
True Biz is the story of these three characters during a year of great change at the school, and was engrossing and enjoyable. I learned a lot about the deaf community, cochlear implants, big pharma, sign language, and ableism, all while in the grips of a great story with relatable, likable characters. Highly recommended.
What’s with all the book reviews? I’m participating in NaBloPoMo this month, writing a post a day. I decided that I would write about the books that I have read this year. For more NaBloPoMo participants, check out San’s list.
28 Comments
Lisa’s Yarns
I read and liked this one, too! I actually just talked about it with a guest at the costume party we went to last weekend. She is going to school to be an ESL interpreter. I had told my old neighbor Katie about this book, and then Katie recommended it to her and they read it together. I had no idea that there was controversy around cochlear implants until reading this book!
J
I had no idea about the controversy either. I’ve only seen the ‘success’ videos, where they show a child hearing their parent’s voice for the first time, etc.
iHanna
This sounds like the kind of book everyone should read, where we actually learn about “others” and so much more that we might not have come across in our own lives (yet).
J
I agree, and it was so nicely done, it didn’t feel like a LESSON, just a good story that happened to have insight.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I read and enjoyed this one. It was an interesting insight into the deaf world that I never even knew about. Actually one of my good friends from HS has a deaf mother and we never thought anything of it. And her Mom would still “yell” at her, just like any other Mom!
J
LOL at the yelling. I like that you never thought anything of it. Looking back at my friends’ parents is kind of interesting. They were all lumped in together as ‘adults’ and kind of monolithic to me. So not true now that I’m the parent. 😉
Ernie
Oh, this book sounds really good. I took sign language in college. I used to babysit for a boy who was autistic and deaf. He lived a few doors down from me. I took him for a walk once. It was early November. He tried to go to every door we passed. We figured out later that he was fixated on Hallween. I was like 15 and watching him was really challenging. When I worked at Burger King, one of the owner’s sons was deaf and I was always fascinated at how they all spoke sign language with such speed. I’ve always felt like sign language should count as learning a foreign language in high school, because maybe more people would learn it. Tank took it in high school maybe 2 semesters?) instead of foreign language (because I do think they count it now, but don’t quote me). He learned a lot and is pretty good at it. I look forward to reading this.
J
Ernie, this book will be so interesting for you, and I wonder if Tank might enjoy it as well.
Maya
I read this one on Engie’s recommendation, I think.
Agree with your summing up of it as a terrific representation of deaf communities as minority communities with all their politics. Fascinating!
J
Yeah, it was Engie’s review that got me interested as well. I listened to it, the audio book is really well done.
Stephany
I read this book! i thought the plot was a bit “blah” but everything I learned about the Deaf community and the controversy surrounding cochlear implants was FASCINATING. I really wanted to learn ASL after reading this book.
J
I know, it was so interesting, wasn’t it? In my mind, ASL is mostly spelling out words, so it was fascinating to learn that there is so much more to it, and that facial expressions are part of it, and yeah, the cochlear controversy was something entirely off my radar.
Michelle G.
I’m enjoying your book reviews, but haven’t commented because I haven’t read the books and didn’t feel like I’d add anything except “This sounds good!”
But I did read this one – actually, I listened to the audiobook, and I have things to say!
The audiobook was interesting because the author, who is deaf, really wanted the experience to be special for those who can hear. When the characters are signing, there are sounds of hands moving, tapping, and slapping, and clothes rustling. At first it seemed strange, but then it was really cool. I always knew when people were signing from the sounds! I learned so much about the deaf community from this book. The cochlear controversy, how sign language is different in other countries, and even in our own with black american sign language. It’s one of those books that has stuck with me.
J
I listened to it as well, and I had the same experience. At first the sign background noises were distracting, but very quickly I felt like they added to the experience. Definitely a really good book, I’m glad that Engie brought it to my attention.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I think I am keeping a look out for this book. It does sound very educating and neatly packed in a story. I am following a person on Instagram that is teaching german sign language and its really interesting.
J
That does sound really interesting!
Alexandra
Oh, another interesting sounding story. I read a series written by an Aussie writer which feature a deaf detective, which opened me up to some of the problems they have to deal with on a daily basis.
J
That sounds really interesting too!
Sarah
I REALLY liked this book
J
I’m glad to hear it, I did too!
Tierney
I really liked this book. Have you seen the movie CODA?
J
I’m trying to remember if we saw CODA. I THINK so? Not in a theater for sure.
NGS
I learned so much while reading this book, but it didn’t feel preachy or like homework. I feel like Novic hit just the right note with everything in it!
J
Absolutely right. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention!
Jenny
I’ve heard about this book and it sounds really interesting. I listened to a podcast with a guy who has a cochlear implant, and it was fascinating. I understand the controversy around them though (this guy is blind AND deaf, so for him it’s…. a necessity.) Anyway, I would be interested in learning more about the subject.
J
I think you will enjoy this book, Jenny, it was great.
Margaret
One of my close friends and a former colleague is the hearing child of deaf parents; she teaches ASL at my school. The teacher prior to her was deaf and very active in that community. It is a culture and way of life, as I discovered over the years of working with Gary. The book sounds like a fascinating look at that world.
J
I think with your knowledge and insight, this book might be especially interesting to you!