What Is American Sign Language?

Reach for this book when your child starts noticing differences in how people communicate or expresses a desire to learn a new language. It is a perfect choice for parents of kids who value fairness and want to understand the 'why' behind social history, or for families looking to foster empathy for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This book goes beyond basic signs to explore the rich, complex history of ASL as a distinct language with its own grammar and culture. Through engaging anecdotes like the invention of the football huddle and the unique history of Martha's Vineyard, the book addresses themes of resilience, identity, and the fight for civil rights. It is highly appropriate for elementary and middle schoolers, offering a secular and factual look at how a community fought for the right to use their own language. It transforms a 'lesson' on disability into an inspiring story of cultural pride and human ingenuity.