THE WORDS IN MY HANDS
BY: ASPHYXIA • RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 30, 2021
A Deaf girl raised as oral in a dystopian future where Australia’s food supply is controlled by one company. She meets a boy who introduces her to the world of sign language and homegrown food. A powerful tale of one girl's journey to find her place in the hearing world and to learn how to fight for what she believes in.
Piper McBride, a Deaf teenager living in Australia, was raised in the oral tradition, of reading lips and using hearing aids. She doesn’t know sign language and she doesn’t know anything about growing her own food. Her mom is the lead scientist for Organicore, whose recon is the sole food source for 65% of the population. Recon has cured many diseases including cancer and obesity, but something has gone wrong, and people are getting sick. The combination of worries about recon and rising oil prices puts Organicore’s future in peril and leads to widespread food shortages. As Origanicore faulters, recon deliveries become less reliable leaving Piper and her mother struggling to ration their increasingly meager food deliveries. When Piper meets Marley, a CODA (child of a Deaf adult), and his moms she’s introduced to sign language, a Deaf community where her Deafness isn‘t something to be fixed, but celebrated, and how to grow her own food. Piper quickly becomes an active participant in a movement to bring homegrown food back to Australia. All her efforts to promote home gardening and start a community garden in her own neighborhood do not go unnoticed by the Organicore-controlled government.
Asphyxia’s stunning debut novel is a coming-of-age story in a dystopian future, a story of belonging, and a story of activism against daunting odds. All told from the point of view of a plucky, determined Deaf teenager and punctuated with Asphyxia’s gorgeous artwork. The book is as visually captivating as the story is powerful.
Pub Date: Nov. 9, 2021 Page Count: 388 Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-77321-528-0 Publisher: Annick Press
Categories: TEENS & YOUNG ADULT DYSTOPIAN FICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE
Hi Tasha! I read this book a little while back. When I picked it up I wasn't entire sure what to expect from it, but it's definitely one that has stuck with me. I admit to not knowing too much about the Deaf community, but this book opened my eyes to at least some of the issues surrounding their community. The backdrop of the hauntingly realistic dystopia was fascinating as well. I really loved this book and I'm glad to hear someone else talk about it. Really great review!
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie,
DeleteThanks! I checked it out from my Library a while back and I loved it so much I bought it! I find deaf culture fascinating. I keep trying to learn sign language, but I haven't made a lot head way. It was interesting looking at the Auslan alphabet and how different it is than ASL alphabet (that's the one thing I have down, lol).
Hi! I have seen this book and was always intrigued by it. After reading your review, I think I will begin it soon! It sounds like a book with really important issues and real-life situations addressed and I like reads like these.
ReplyDeleteHi Ramah,
DeleteYeah, it definitely addresses some important issues. The importance of sign language to Deaf culture and identity and the importance of knowing where your food comes from and how to grow it yourself. It was interesting to learn about how difficult/exhausting it can be for Deaf people to try to be oral and communicate by lip reading. The author, Asphyxia, is Deaf, which makes Piper's struggles that much more authentic. I hope you enjoy it!
I've never seen or heard of this book. Great job on your description - I am certainly intrigued!!
ReplyDelete