For the young reader grappling with themes of injustice and the profound human desire for freedom and self-determination, especially when faced with overwhelming obstacles.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with feeling unheard, underestimated, or powerless against injustice. It is an ideal story for exploring fairness and the courage it takes to fight for one's own autonomy. Set in the 1830s, this powerful novel in verse tells the story of Mary, a deaf girl from Martha's Vineyard who is sold to a man who wants to exhibit her as a scientific curiosity. The book follows her harrowing journey to escape and find her way back to a community where she is understood and valued. It beautifully explores themes of resilience, freedom, and what it means to truly belong. For readers 10-14, this historical novel provides important representation and opens conversations about disability rights and human dignity.
Protagonist undertakes a dangerous escape and journey, facing pursuit and potential capture.
Racism & DiscriminationModerate
Story centers on intense historical ableism and the scientific exploitation of a deaf person.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with disability (deafness) and the historical ableism and exploitation faced by people with disabilities. The premise involves a child being 'bought' and treated like property, which is a significant and disturbing theme. The approach is secular and historical. The resolution is ultimately hopeful and empowering, as Mary succeeds in her quest for freedom, but it realistically portrays the trauma and danger she endures.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a thoughtful reader aged 11-14 who is developing a strong sense of social justice and is drawn to stories of resilience. It will deeply resonate with a child who feels different, misunderstood, or underestimated, providing a powerful model of self-advocacy. It's also an essential read for any child interested in American history and disability rights.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of the 1830s, particularly the cruel and dehumanizing ways people with disabilities were often treated (e.g., in 'freak shows' or as subjects of unethical study). The scene where Mary is explicitly purchased will be upsetting and provides a crucial point for conversation about a person's right to their own body and life. The verse format makes it accessible, but the themes are mature. A parent notices their child expressing frustration about fairness, such as saying, "No one ever listens to me!" or asking pointed questions about why people are treated differently. The trigger is seeing the child begin to recognize and question systemic injustice in the world around them.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will connect strongly with the adventure and survival aspects of Mary's escape, seeing a clear story of good versus evil. An older reader (12-14) will more fully appreciate the nuanced exploration of ableism, bodily autonomy, the ethics of science, and the profound importance of a community built on shared communication and mutual respect.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about disability that focus on a character's journey toward acceptance in a hearing/abled world, this story is about a character escaping an ableist world to return to a community where her deafness is not a deficit. The integration of Martha's Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) as a cultural cornerstone, not just an accommodation, is a unique and powerful element. The verse format also gives the story an intense emotional immediacy.
Read plot summary
This historical novel in verse follows Mary Lambert, a 14-year-old deaf girl from Martha's Vineyard, where a unique sign language (MVSL) is widely used by both deaf and hearing residents. In a time of financial desperation, Mary's family sells her to a mainland man, Mr. Bell, who intends to display her as a 'specimen' to prove his scientific theories about deaf people. Imprisoned and isolated, Mary must rely on her wits and courage to plot a dangerous escape and embark on a perilous journey to reclaim her freedom and identity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Mary's home on Martha's Vineyard was a place where many people, both deaf and hearing, used sign language. How did this unique community shape her identity and her understanding of the world?
2
Mr. Bell claimed his work was for the good of science and would help other deaf people. Do you think good intentions can ever justify cruel actions? Where is the line between study and exploitation?
3
Mary risks everything to get back the whelk shell her brother gave her. Why was this object so important to her? What does it represent?
4
The author wrote this book in verse. How did the short lines and poetic language affect your experience of reading Mary's story and understanding her feelings?
5
On page 128, Mary thinks, 'Freedom / is not a place. / It is a feeling.' What do you think she means? In what moments, even before she was fully safe, did Mary experience a feeling of freedom?
