Deaf Child Crossing - Hardcover

Matlin, Marlee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689822081 ISBN 13: 9780689822087

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2002

Synopsis

Cindy looked straight at Megan. Now she looked a little frustrated. "What's the matter? Are you deaf or something?" she yelled back.

Megan screamed out, and then fell to the ground, laughing hysterically. "How did you know that?" she asked as she laughed.

Megan is excited when Cindy moves into her neighborhood -- maybe she'll finally have a best friend. Sure enough, the two girls quickly become inseparable. Cindy even starts to learn sign language so they can communicate more easily.

But when they go away to summer camp together, problems arise. Cindy feels left out because Megan is spending all of her time with Lizzie, another deaf girl; Megan resents that Cindy is always trying to help her, even when she doesn't need help. Before they can mend their differences, both girls have to learn what it means to be a friend.

Marlee Matlin, Academy Award-winning actress, has written a compelling and often humorous story of friendship, loosely based on events from her own childhood growing up in Chicago. Deaf Child Crossing will strike a chord with anyone who has ever had, or wanted, a best friend.

About this title

Review

Oscar-winning actor and producer Marlee Matlin makes her writing debut about a topic she knows very well--the difficulties of growing up deaf. Nine-year-old Megan is thrilled when Cindy moves in down the street, even though the two couldn't be more different. Megan is boisterous; Cindy is shy. Megan loves everything with a passion, especially the color purple; Cindy shrinks from attention. Megan is deaf; Cindy can hear. Together, they forge an unlikely friendship that is tested when the two decide to attend summer camp together. There is another deaf child in their bunk, and suddenly Megan seems to forget the promise she made to Cindy to be "BFF," Best Friends Forever. Cindy struggles with this rejection, even as it forces her to step out from behind Megan's shadow and learn to speak up for herself. Once they are home again, the two reconcile when a hair-pulling argument dissolves into laughter.

The preeminent author of fiction about children with disabilities has always been the beloved Jean Little (Little by Little, Mine for Keeps, etc.). Having said that, Matlin is no Little, but her writing style is competent and clearly describes the realities of Megan's world. And even though Matlin's gently told story doesn't rise much above the "message" of Megan's disability, it's still a message that youngsters need to hear. (Ages 8 to 10) --Jennifer Hubert

About the Author

Deaf since she was eighteen months old, Marlee Matlin won the 1986 Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role in Children of a Lesser God; she was also nominated for Emmy Awards for her performances in Seinfeld, Picket Fences, and The Practice. Her film credits include The Player and It's My Party. She has made numerous television appearances and currently appears on The West Wing. Under her own production company, Solo One Productions, she has also produced and starred in a number of made-for-television movies. She is affiliated with numerous charities, particularly those that benefit children. Marlee Matlin lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Kevin; her two children, Sarah and Brandon; and Annie, the dog. Visit her Web site at http://www.marleeonline.com.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0689822081
• ISBN 13: 9780689822087
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208