Signs on the Court

By Katherine S. Rybak

Mateo doesn't just play basketball. He lives it.

He's a point guard who sees every play before it happens. But when he joins a new club team, he starts hiding his hearing aids before practice. If the other kids don't see them, maybe he can just be the kid who's good at basketball. Not the kid with the hearing aids.

It works until it doesn't. He misses a play call during a game. And his cousin Diego, the one person who sees through all of it, is asking the questions Mateo doesn't want to answer.

A realistic story about identity, courage, and what it takes to stop hiding who you are.

Signs on the Court tells an authentic, empowering story about growing up Hard of Hearing: the daily effort, the tough choices, and the allies who make a difference. Filled with basketball, family, humor, and heart, this book shows every kid that owning who you are is the strongest play you can make.

Perfect for readers ages 8-13, classrooms, book clubs, and anyone who has ever hidden a part of themselves to fit in.

Reading Level: Grade 4 Interest Level: Grades 3-8 Genre: Realistic Fiction

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GWVK2VXG
• ISBN13: 9798994113448
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Hearing Out Loud Books
• Length: 164 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7