
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the complex, often conflicting emotions that come with having a sibling who requires significant family attention. It is particularly helpful for kids who feel a mix of deep love and occasional resentment or embarrassment regarding a sibling with disabilities. The story follows thirteen-year-old Mic Parsons as he navigates the social pressures of junior high while living with his sister, Stephanie, who is both deaf and blind. It beautifully captures the internal tug-of-war between wanting to protect a sibling and wanting to be seen as an individual. This realistic novel provides a safe space for middle-schoolers to acknowledge their 'shameful' feelings without judgment, ultimately modeling empathy and family resilience. It is best suited for ages 10 to 14, offering a grounded perspective on growing up in a neurodiverse household.
Depicts the emotional strain on a family caring for a child with profound disabilities.
It is a secular approach that focuses on the sensory experience and the logistical realities of caregiving. The resolution is realistic: Stephanie doesn't 'get better,' but Mic's perspective and the family's coping mechanisms improve.
A middle schooler who feels 'invisible' at home because a sibling's medical or developmental needs take center stage. It's for the kid who needs permission to feel frustrated with their family.
Read the scenes where Mic expresses genuine anger or embarrassment toward Stephanie. These are honest but can be jarring for a parent to hear. A parent might see their child pulling away, acting embarrassed by a sibling in public, or expressing resentment about the lack of 'normalcy' in the house.
Younger readers (10-11) will focus on the 'gross' or 'loud' aspects of the disability and Mic's school mishaps. Older readers (13-14) will more deeply resonate with the identity crisis and the ethics of social belonging.
This book stands apart by focusing on the experiences of a sibling of a child with disabilities, exploring the complex emotions that can arise in such a family dynamic. ```
Mic Parsons is an average thirteen-year-old trying to survive junior high, conquer his fear of heights, and catch the eye of a girl named Joanie. However, his home life is dominated by his older sister, Stephanie, who is deaf and blind. The story tracks Mic's internal struggle as he deals with the noise and chaos Stephanie creates, the social stigma he fears at school, and his eventual realization of the unique bond they share. The book handles physical disability (deaf-blindness) with direct, unsentimental realism.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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