DEER RUN HOME, by Ann Clare LeZotte, Scholastic Press, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 10 and up)
A deaf girl searches for her voice and discovers the true meaning of family along the way in Deer Run Home, by Ann Clare LeZotte.
Effie is Deaf, and no one in her family speaks sign language, her language.
Effie 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? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press
Inspired by a true court case, Deer Run Home is a novel in verse that is fictionalized in order to provide privacy for those who actually lived this experience. Though a specific child was not used as a model for Effie, author Ann Clare LeZotte says she worked with professionals to get the details right.
And, boy, do those details feel authentic. In fact, the entire novel feels right. LeZotte captures Effie’s pain and joy with such care. You feel as if Effie is talking directly to you.
Effie is a beautifully realized protagonist. One with whom kids will either empathize with or understand perfectly from their own situations.
LeZotte’s use of verse makes Effie’s story infinitely more accessible for kids who may also struggle with reading, while gracefully providing context and impact for those just looking for a good read.
Deer Run Home is a story of abuse, however, there are no graphic details. It is mostly inferred. But the book is about so much more — how love or indifference can impact every aspect of your life, the joy of blossoming friendship, and the power of words. It’s an excellent read.
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