Deaf Child Crossing

by Marlee Matlin

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689822081
• ISBN13: 9780689822087
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.7" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Through the Eyes of A Deaf Child

Nine-year-old Megan has always wanted a best friend. So when she hears that a new family - with a little girl the same age as her - is moving into the Bregenzer's old place, she couldn't be more ecstatic. Megan spends her days and nights sitting on her father's SUV, awaiting the arrival of a moving truck. When, on the first Saturday of summer vacation, something happens. The family arrives, complete with a little girl named Cindy, who is the owner of two large brown eyes, and a shy smile. Megan instantly decides that Cindy will be her new, and first, best friend, for she is one of the only girls in town who doesn't make fun of Megan's voice, or the fact that she's deaf. However, after learning sign language in order to communicate with Megan, the relationship begins to fall apart between the two girls. At summer camp, Megan begins hanging around with another deaf girl named Lizzie, and abandons Cindy. Now, it's back to school time, and the two girls don't know if they'll ever be able to repair their friendship. I have viewed Marlee Matlin on numerous TV shows and made-for-TV-movies over the years, and have always found her acting skills to be marvelous and convincing. Hence, I was very excited to see the release of DEAF CHILD CROSSING, as I have always been fascinated with both sign language and learning about the deaf community - I, myself, own a deaf cat. Matlin has done a wonderful job of conveying to readers - both young and old - that being deaf is not a handicap, but just something that makes a person special. Her characters are diverse, and controversial, and the conflicts that pop-up between them are interesting, and leave the reader wondering what will happen next. An amazing book for everyone interested in learning about the goings-on of a deaf child and her family. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This is a fantastic book

This is a great book for any child, but if you have a deaf child it's a must. It's well written and, let's be frank, there isn't a lot of fiction with deaf characters that kids can relate too. If your child is a little older (teen or adult), Jack Haldeman's "The Fall Of Winter" is a sci-fi story with several deaf characters (and their deafness is definetely *not* a handicap!).

The best

I know I'm only tweleve and older people dont really listen to us, but hear me out for a second. This book is a heart touching storie that talks about a girl named Megan who is deaf. I read this in my sign language class. Just the first chapter caught my attention. Its shows that a girl, 10 years old, who's deaf, can still be who she wants to be. A leader. Not only of her street but also being proud of being deaf. That is what I like to read. Someone who has a diablility can still feel proud of who she is. Amazing! Now go a buy this book. It will truely turn your life around and have you look at life in a different light.

A Story of Friendship

This book is about a deaf child named Megan. The characters were funny, like the kids I know at school. I think the author is telling us that deaf kids are both the same as hearing children and very different at the same time. We all havemisunderstandings and everyone needs to be sensitive to each others needs. This book is very touching-I cried when Megan's dog Apples died. For insight into Megan's world and kids like her you should read this book.

Great for Kids and Parents

My wife and I are always on the search for books that we can read with our kids but most of the stuff out there just doesn't cut it. As big fans of The West Wing and Marlee Matlin we were excited to read the book but then we didn't know what to expect as the review from Publishers Weekly was questionable. But it's all wrong! We found the book charming, funny and very good. And we didn't notice any grammatical errors! Our two children 8 (girl) and 6 (boy) couldn't wait to read each new chapter. Our oldest even read it to the youngest. Now both of them want to learn sign language. We loved Ms. Matlin's insight and we're hoping for a sequel! Two thumbs up!