Please note: I received an advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Slated to be published July 2, 2024 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
YA contemporary romance; 320 pages
Anna Sortino’s sophomore novel is yet another stunning, authentic look into the experience of being a teenager with a disability. At its heart, though, this is a story about navigating and coping with major change that I think anybody could relate to. The book follows Ellie and Jackson, 2 high school seniors who are seemingly so different but whose paths cross anyway: when Ellie’s school for the Deaf is shut down, she’s forced to attend her local public high school and Jackson gets roped into being her “tour guide” and helping her integrate. Ellie deals with a lot of frustration at the hands of people who don’t want to make an effort to understand her (including her own parents) which felt so raw and was depicted realistically. I liked how Jackson made such a sincere effort to connect with Ellie despite there being a communication barrier and how much he wanted to get to know her as a person. Growing up disabled, I just wanted to be treated like a typical kid and Jackson really does treat Ellie like a “normal person” which is evident in the natural progression of their relationship. They both make the same slip-ups and feel the same way all teenagers do in relationships. I also appreciated how Ellie has to work through her emotions following a breakup and reconciling those with her feelings for Jackson, because that’s relatable too.
As this is going on, Jackson begins to experience random, seemingly inexplicable physical issues which culminate in a life-changing diagnosis. This ends up giving us a sort of contrast in what it’s like to be born disabled vs. what it’s like to acquire a disability. I was born disabled, so Jackson’s confusion and at times outright fear gave me a lot to think about, and affirmed my thinking that it’s a sort of privilege to be born this way, because I’ve had a lifetime to figure out how to live in this body (this is something that Ellie realizes as well, and it also gives her new perspective about her own abilities as Jackson’s issues are very different from hers). Sortino also explores how this diagnosis impacts Jackson’s and Ellie’s relationship, and I just loved how supportive they were of each other through it all (I might have cried a little bit).
My rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Publisher’s Synopsis:
A hopeful novel about love, disability, and the inevitability of change by the author of Give Me a Sign.
Ellie’s Deaf boarding school just shut down, forcing her to leave the place she considered home and return to her hearing family. Back in a mainstream school, Ellie quickly becomes the subject of hateful rumors. That’s when her guidance counselor pairs her with Jackson, a student who’s supposed to help her adjust. Can the boy who tries to say the right things, and gets it all wrong, be the lifeline Ellie needs?
Jackson has been avoiding his teammates ever since some numbness in his legs cost them an important soccer match. With his senior year off to a lonely start, he’s intrigued when he’s asked to help the new girl, initially thinking it will be a commendable move on his part. Little does he know Ellie will soon be the person he wants most by his side when the strange symptoms he’s experiencing amount to a life-changing diagnosis.
Exploring what it means to build community, Anna Sortino pens a story about the fear of the unknown and the beauty of the unexpected, all wrapped up in a poignant romance that will break your heart and put it back together again (from goodreads).
Books and Agita 