Hear Me

Description

One year after being diagnosed with hearing loss, Rayne's hearing keeps getting worse, even with aids. It's a struggle to maintain friendships and keep up in school, surfing is now a wipeout, and she can't understand her favorite singer's lyrics. But worst of all, Rayne's parents are pushing for her to get cochlear implants, a surgery Rayne's not convinced is worth the risks and challenges. Rayne begs her parents to consider other options, but they're not budging. With the surgery looming, Rayne sets off on a bus journey that forces her to face her own assumptions about what her hearing loss means and what kind of life she could have. With the help of some new friends, Rayne realizes that even though her ears may be broken, she is not. "Asterisks replace unheard words of dialogue in this moving middle grade novel, based on the author's own life, that follows an adolescent girl's struggle with both progressive hearing loss and her parents' insistence that she get cochlear implants."--The New York Times Book Review "Rayne is a likable protagonist, and readers will root for her. An interesting story of a particular deaf experience."--Kirkus Reviews

Kerry O'Malley Cerra is the author of the award-winning middle-grade novel Just a Drop of Water. She holds a degree in social science education and currently works as a high school media specialist. She spends her days enveloped by books and students and spends her nights writing by the glow of her computer. Though she'll always consider South Jersey/Philly her home, she currently lives in Florida with her family and two poorly behaved rescue dogs. Be sure to pop over to KerryOmalleyCerra.com and say hi!

"Hear Me is a thoughtful and empowering story about standing up and speaking out even when no one will listen. I'll be thinking about Rayne long after closing the book."--Lynne Kelly, author of Song for a Whale -- "Other Print" (5/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) "Hear Me is a brave and important book. Rayne's story will open hearts and minds, and give young readers courage and hope."--Jarrett Lerner, author of the EngiNerds -- "Other Print" (5/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) "Asterisks replace unheard words of dialogue in this moving middle grade novel, based on the author's own life, that follows an adolescent girl's struggle with both progressive hearing loss and her parents' insistence that she get cochlear implants."--The New York Times Book Review -- "Newspaper" (9/16/2022 12:00:00 AM) "Kerry Cerra has written an important, immersive read filled with so much heart. We are quickly pulled into Rayne's world as she navigates her hearing loss journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance. I was cheering for Rayne every step of the way!" --Danielle Joseph, author of Sydney A. Frankel's Summer Mix-Up -- "Other Print" (5/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) "This is the ultimately empowering story of Rayne, 12, who, as she loses her hearing, is made by her parents, without her consent, to get cochlear implants because they believe it will "fix her." Rayne, who's afraid the surgery won't work, is terrified of getting it. She's beginning to socially isolate herself from her friends and realizes she can't understand her favorite singer's lyrics. After she finds out her parents have already scheduled the surgery date, Rayne makes a desperate decision to run away in search of a doctor undertaking a stem cell research trial for children, even though she doesn't qualify because she's too old. Cerra, who has hearing loss herself, sensitively examines all sides of the complex issue of communication within the Deaf community. Her use of asterisks in place of dialogue that Rayne can't hear is very effective. Characters are cued as white. This empathetic, appealing story highlights Rayne's journey to self-acceptance while also exploring her complicated but loving family relationships, loyal friendships, and a little romance. Discussion questions wrap everything up." --Booklist -- "Journal" (9/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)