The Printer - Softcover

Uhlberg, Myron

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1561454834 ISBN 13: 9781561454839

Publisher: Peachtree, 2009

Synopsis

As a boy, my father learned to speak with his hands. As a man, he learned how to turn lead-type letters into words and sentences. My father loved being a printer.

Each day in 1940s New York a young boy watches as his father goes to work in the noisy newspaper printing factory. But the boy's father only feels the machines' loud pounding and rumbling as vibrations through the soles of his shoes. He is deaf. Although his father communicates with a few other deaf printers through his hands, he feels largely ignored by his hearing co-workers. But when a silent deadly fire erupts, it is up to the father to warn and save his coworkers, even when they cannot hear him over the printers.

Myron Uhlberg draws on his own experiences as the hearing son of deaf parents to create this dramatic, evocative story that reflects a respect for deaf culture and the unique gifts each individual possesses. Historical details are deftly rendered and brought to life in Henri Sørensen's extraordinary paintings that dramatize and illuminate the powerful text.

About this title

About the Author

Myron Uhlberg is the award-wining and critically acclaimed author of several children's books. Uhlberg is the first-born son of two deaf parents. His first language was ASL (American Sign Language). After graduating from Brandeis University, he served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He then spent the next forty years in the garment industry. His first book was published when he was sixty-six years old. He has appeared on NPR's Talk of the Nation and was featured in the Ken Burns documentary film, Jackie Robinson. He lives in California.

Henri Sørensen attended the University of Arhus and the Academy of Fine Arts, both in Denmark. He has illustrated over twenty books for children and is the author-illustrator of two others. Sørensen lives in Denmark.

From the Back Cover

Sean is an angry and confused 15 year-old who has never had it easy. He's estranged from his father and abused by his mother. Suspended from school and with a mounting police record, he is one step away from serious trouble. Sentenced to community service for violating curfew, Sean is sent to Mr. Hassler's farm, where he's forced to confront his fears and take charge of his own life. When Sean is faced with a dangerous situation that tests his true character, he learns just what it means to be a hero.

Edition details

• Publisher: Peachtree
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1561454834
• ISBN 13: 9781561454839
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Sorensen Henri
• Number of pages: 32