Deer Run Home

A Deaf girl struggles to reveal a dangerous secret in a world that refuses to listen.

4.2 Goodreads · 1,239 ratings

224 pages· 14,591 words· Est. 1.5 hour read· ~670L

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Effie, isolated by her family's refusal to learn sign language, harbors a dangerous secret about her abusive stepfather. With only her interpreter, Miss Kathy, understanding her, Effie faces a daunting choice: remain silent or risk everything to be heard. As her world teeters on the brink, Effie must decide if revealing the truth is worth the peril it brings. In a story told in verse, Effie's journey explores the power of communication, the courage to speak out, and the hope of finding a place where she truly belongs.

From the publisher

Effie is Deaf, and no one in her family speaks sign language, her language. This moving story of survival and found family, inspired by a true court case, is perfect for fans of Wonder and Out of My Mind. “Quietly extraordinary.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Elegantly weaves a heartbreaking story with hope.” –School Library Journal, starred review”Through Effie, young readers both deaf and hearing will encounter a heartfelt homecoming story, and reassurance that they are not alone.”–The New York TimesEffie and her older sister, Deja, have recently moved into their father’s trailer after an incident at their mom’s house. Daddy communicates with Effie by pointing, stomping on the floor, and making thoughtless jokes. Even if they did understand each other, could she tell the terrible secret she carries when telling feels impossible–and dangerous?But what if telling is the only way to be seen?This tender, spare, emotionally charged story about the impact of abuse and the power of love explores what it feels like to be an outsider in your own family and to awaken–through friendship, writing, and kinship with the natural world–to a new understanding and appreciation of yourself.

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