by Sara Novic
First published 2022
Charlie arrives at River Valley School for the Deaf having never encountered another deaf person in her life. She navigates the unfamiliar world of residential school life alongside Austin, the popular student whose newborn hearing sister has shaken his sense of identity. Their headmistress February fights on two fronts: keeping the school's doors open against political pressure and saving her crumbling marriage. When personal crises collide with larger battles over deaf rights and bodily autonomy, the three find their fates intertwined. Charlie discovers sign language and community while Austin grapples with what his sister's hearing means for his family. February must choose between her professional mission and personal happiness. The students want what any teenagers want: romance, academic success, and freedom from adult interference. But they face unique pressures from politicians, medical professionals, and parents who think they know what's best for deaf bodies and minds. Through first relationships, family conflicts, and institutional threats, these characters learn that connection transcends the boundaries others try to impose.
Genres: fiction, drama, contemporary, activism, academic, disability
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: River Valley School for the Deaf
386 pages · Hardcover · Random House