Navigating complex family feelings about a sibling with disabilities while simultaneously facing the universal struggles of junior high. A poignant story of growth and acceptance.
A parent might reach for this book when their middle-schooler is grappling with complicated, even resentful, feelings about a sibling, particularly one with a disability. It explores the inner world of thirteen-year-old Mic, who loves his deaf and blind sister but also feels frustrated, embarrassed, and overlooked because of her needs. The story validates these difficult, contradictory emotions within the familiar context of junior high pressures like friendships and crushes. It is an excellent choice for ages 12-15 as it doesn't offer easy answers but instead shows a realistic path toward empathy, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of what family means. It normalizes the 'glass child' experience and opens the door for important conversations.
Some scenes depict peer misunderstanding and minor bullying related to the sister's disability.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the emotional impact of having a sibling with a significant disability. The approach is secular and psychologically realistic, focusing on the protagonist's internal conflict. It does not shy away from his negative feelings, presenting them as a normal part of his experience. The resolution is hopeful, emphasizing personal growth and acceptance rather than a miraculous cure or change in circumstance. Bullying related to disability is present but not the central focus.
Ideal Reader
A middle schooler, age 12-14, who is the sibling of a child with high needs or a disability and may be struggling with feelings of guilt, anger, or being overlooked. It's also for any child navigating complex family dynamics or learning to understand perspectives different from their own.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, but parents should be prepared for the raw honesty of Mic's thoughts. His frustration is palpable and at times harsh. It's an opportunity to discuss that it's okay to feel contradictory emotions (like anger and love) at the same time and that these feelings don't make someone a bad person. A parent hears their child say, "Why is everything always about them?" in reference to a sibling. Or they notice their child seems resentful, withdrawn, or is struggling to balance their own identity with their role in the family. The child may be expressing immense guilt over these negative feelings.
Age Experience
A 12-year-old will likely connect with the plot-driven elements: the injustice Mic feels, the new friendship, and the excitement of the storm. A 14- or 15-year-old will be better equipped to appreciate the psychological depth of Mic's internal conflict, his journey toward empathy, and the nuances of his changing family relationships.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books that center the person with a disability, this story is exceptional for its unflinching focus on the sibling's perspective. It masterfully captures the 'glass child' experience. Its strength lies in validating the messy, uncomfortable, and deeply human emotions that siblings in these situations often feel but are afraid to voice.
Read plot summary
Thirteen-year-old Mic Parsons is trying to survive seventh grade. He's making new friends and navigating the usual social anxieties, but his home life is dominated by the needs of his older sister, Stephanie, who is deaf and blind. Mic struggles with a constant, churning mix of love, guilt, resentment, and embarrassment. He feels invisible to his parents and defined by his sister's disabilities. Through a new friendship with a boy named Vern and a tense, dramatic crisis during a thunderstorm, Mic is forced to confront his complex feelings and begins to find a more mature way to understand both his sister and himself.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Mic often feels guilty and angry about his feelings toward Stephanie. Do you think it's possible to love someone and be frustrated with them at the same time? Why are these mixed feelings so difficult?
2
How does Mic's friendship with Vern help him see his own family situation differently? What does Vern do or say that gives Mic a new perspective?
3
The title is 'Can You Feel the Thunder?'. Stephanie can't hear the thunder, but she feels its vibrations. What do you think the title means in a deeper, more emotional sense for Mic?
4
At the beginning of the story, Mic sees Stephanie mostly as a burden. How does his view of her change by the end? What specific events cause this change?
