YADC Issue 2

1. Fall 2007
Volume 1, Issue 2
Hearing authors who write books with Deaf Characters
In the past, hearing authors typically were
Inside this issue: not involved with deaf individuals and pre-
“I...discovered that all of the
sented misconceptions and ignorance
2
Letter from Sharon
about deaf people (Bergman, 1985). In
hearing authors‟ stories had been
many cases, hearing authors had not pre-
New in the bookstore 2
for 2007 pared the much needed research to include
inspired by actual deaf people
deaf characters into their work (Batson,
What’s on my bookshelf 3
1980). However, while conducting re- and that they were collaborating
But the character was 4
search on deaf characters in adolescent
supposed to be Deaf?
with members of the Deaf
literature, the participants in my study
In the theatre 4 made positive comments about the deaf
community....”
characters in the books written by the hear-
In the news 5
ing authors (Pajka-West, 2007). At that time,
I had not contacted the authors directly to
Who is Julie? 5
ask them what their familiarities were with
with Hurricane Andrew. Cooney explains,
the Deaf community so I was unaware of
On the Internet 8 “All of our dancers were deaf… In perform-
their experiences.
ance, it became abundantly clear that these
After starting my Blog, I began interviewing particular kids had coping skills out the
authors and discovered that all of the hear- wazoo -- which became deeply moving to
ing authors‟ stories either had been in- audiences still devastated by the impact of
spired by actual deaf people or that they Hurricane Andrew.” Cooney‟s editor knew
were collaborating with members of the that he would be eager and “not intimi-
Deaf community by contacting Deaf authors dated” to collaborate with Matlin. “Marlee
and professionals in residential schools for and I met for lunch -- we liked each other
the Deaf. Some of the authors even hold immediately -- and we got to work,”
degrees in fields connected with deafness, Cooney recalls.
including Deaf Education and Audiology.
In Cooney and Matlin‟s upcoming novel,
Doug Cooney, co-author of Nobody’s Per- Leading Ladies, the authors tackle a school
fect worked with actress, Marlee Matlin. production of the Wizard of Oz, which was
Cooney explains that his editor approached Matlin‟s first experience onstage. In fiction-
him about working with Matlin who many of alizing the story from Matlin‟s childhood,
you know is the Academy Award-winning Cooney “added another deaf kid to the cast
Deaf actress. Prior to that experience, and sort of freely invented the production in
quot;Two Girls Reading,
Cooney wrote a theatre piece about stu- [his] head.” He further explains, “As a
1934quot; by Pablo Picasso
dents being mainstreamed into public
(Continued on page 6)
schools that referenced their experiences

2. Page 2
Letter from Sharon
Dear Readers,
Welcome to another issue of YADC. This has been an exciting summer filled with conferences, publications and of
course READING! As you may know, finding fictional books with deaf characters can be somewhat of a challenge. I‟m trying
to make it easier for you with my quot;100+ Books and Countingquot; list of Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature on my Blog
(http://pajka.blogspot.com/). At the time of this letter, I have 140 contemporary books listed including some upcoming
publications that I‟ve included in this newsletter. In this issue, you‟ll find that „My Bookshelf‟ includes six new titles (including
two series of comic books) with Deaf Characters. There are also six additional books in the „New in the Bookstore for 2007‟
section. So, just because you put your summer reading list aside, you will need to turn over a new leaf (pun intended) to get
ready for reading this Fall!
I wrote in the last issue that authors are including more deaf characters than they did in the past. In this issue, read my
story „Hearing authors who are including Deaf Characters‟. Wow, are they doing their research! These authors have been
inspired by actual deaf people. They are collaborating with members of the Deaf community; some hold degrees in fields
connected with deafness, and one even has a deaf son who was the inspiration for her book.
I would love to hear from you and your students to see what books you are reading! Please contact me at
yadeafcharacters@gmail.com.
Happy Reading,
Sharon Pajka-West, Ph.D.
New in the bookstore for 2007
Eve Bunting Sarah Miller Penny Warner Nadia Wheatley Jacqueline Woodson
A Sudden Silence Miss Spitfire: Reaching (Connor Westphal Listening to Feathers (2007)
(Reissue edition, Helen Keller (2007) Mystery) Mondrian (2007)
April 2007) Dead Man's Hand (2007)
Stephen J. Cutler and Jodi Cutler Del Dottore Rally Caps (2007)—see my bookshelf
Marlee Matlin & Doug Cooney Leading Ladies (2007)—see my bookshelf

3. Page 3
What’s on my bookshelf
Leading Ladies (November 2007) Great Deaf Americans (The Third Editions)
By Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney by Matthew S. Moore, Robert F. Panara
Publication Date: November 2007 Publisher: Deaf Life Pr; 3 edition
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (December 2007)
288 pages ISBN-10: 0-689-86987-8 ISBN-10: 0970587635
The third edition includes approximately 77
Grades: 3rd and up
Leading Ladies focuses on Megan wanting to biographical profiles of deaf people in a variety of fields.
be the star in her class' musical production of The Wizard of Teachers, lawyers, advocates, artists, athletes, scholars, jour-
Oz. Megan's good friend from camp, Lizzie who attends the nalists, scientists, administrators, leaders, travelers, commu-
Illinois School for the Deaf transfers to Megan's public nications pioneers, an Art Deco architect, an innovative shoe-
school. Lizzie had such a small role in Nobody's Perfect that string-budget ASL filmmaker, one of the world's finest botani-
I'm glad to see that this character is given a major storyline. cal artists, and the “World‟s Greatest Lifeguard” are here.
Of course, there is going to be DRAMA with friendship trian- Each chapter is illustrated with a picture and a detailed bibli-
gles, main role competition, and a major school musical ography.
production. Megan's family has a new dog named Solo, an
(Note: the book jacket for the Third Edition is unavailable at
unexpected addition after the loss of Apples in Deaf Child
this time-- the Second Edition book jacket is
Crossing. Even without knowing if she will secure the part of
included)
Dorothy, Megan begins training Solo to be the best Toto
Echo by Clint Kelly (July 2007)
possible.
Age Range: Teen to Adult
RALLY CAPS by Stephen J. Cutler and Jodi
ISBN: 0310263042
Cutler Del Dottore
Main character Cassie Dixons takes a relax-
Reading level: Ages 9-12
ing vacation and goes to the Cascade Moun-
Paperback: 88 pages
tains with her friends, the Fergusons, and
Publisher: PublishAmerica (April 16, 2007)
their teenage deaf son, Cody. While Cassie
RALLY CAPS is the story of Jordan, a ten-year-
sees how Cody's mother is overprotective of him, she decides
old who gets injured while trying out for Little
to encourage him to have confidence in himself and explore;
League. When the doctor places him on the “disabled
yet, quot;Cassie aches for the boy, knowing that hearing is both
list” (i.e. no physical activity for six to eight weeks), Jordan
the audible and inaudible ways in which we hear each other
mopes around spending much of his time playing Play-
and Godquot;(publisher release information). When Cody disap-
Station and watching the Cartoon Network. When he finally
pears, the peaceful vacation turns into a frantic search for his
goes off to baseball summer camp he has to overcome his
whereabouts that has Cassie feeling guilty.
anxiety of another baseball injury and swimming with the
Author Clint Kelly is a communications specialist for Seattle
possibility of meeting the lake monster who steals swim-
Pacific University.
ming trunks. At camp, Jordan meets and befriends Luca, a
deaf character who wears a cochlear implant and Luca‟s
Marvel Comics Daredevil (1999-2003) (v2)
sister Niki. Jordan learns a great deal from Luca‟s „nothing is
#9-15 and #51-55).
impossible‟ attitude, and from his hero Cal Ripken Jr.
David Mack‟s character Maya Lopez, also
known as Echo, debuted in Daredevil (v2) #9
Marvel Comics New Avengers
(1999) as a love interest for Matt Murdock.
The character Maya Lopez, also known as Echo and now
Ronin, (issues #11-13); Echo/ Maya(30-31) appears in the
most recent arc (issues 31-33).

4. Page 4
But the character was supposed to be Deaf
reported that an NBC spokesperson confirmed the
 quot;Bionic Womanquot; is an upcoming
character's replacement was for creative reasons. The
television show premiering in
new actress may not be required to learn sign lan-
September 2007 on NBC. Actress
guage since an NBC executive quot;requested that the
Michelle Ryan plays the main char-
character's hearing be restoredquot; (Wikipedia, quot;Mae
acter Jaime, the female athlete
Whitmanquot; retrieved July 15, 2007). To
quot;remadequot; after a car crash to
see a preview of the upcoming series
become the bionic woman. The
(not Closed Captioned) visit:
actress took lessons from a dialect
http://www.nbc.com/Fall_Preview/
coach (since she has to fake an
Bionic_Woman/
American accent); learned Krav
Mae Whitman
Magar (a martial art used by the
 “The character Penance from the
Israeli Special Forces); and she started learning sign
Generation X comics in the early 90's
languages since her little sister (played by actress Mae
was originally supposed to be deaf but
Whitman) is Deaf. In the pilot, actress Mae Whitman
the series changed writers and things
plays the role of Becca who is Deaf and uses sign
got really wacky after that”.
language; however, she is now being replaced with
-Franny Blog Reader Comment
Penance
another actress. The TV Guide Blog (June 27, 2007)
In the theatre
Nobody's Perfect (Oct 19 - Nov 3, 2007) • Running Time: 1 hour • Tickets: $18.00
A joint world premiere by the Kennedy Center and VSA arts
Based on the book by MARLEE MATLIN and DOUG COONEY
Script and lyrics by DOUG COONEY
Music by DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA
Directed by COY MIDDLEBROOK
Fourth grade is not easy and after spending a year planning her quot;positively purplequot;
birthday party, Megan finds herself at odds with new student Alexis. To Megan,
Alexis has it all: beauty, brains, and athletics--she's practically perfect in every way.
Though Megan tries to be nice to her, Alexis is anything but friendly, making Megan
wonder, quot;Does she not like me because I'm deaf?quot; When they're forced to collaborate on a science
project, Megan discovers Alexis's secret. Based on the children's book by Academy Award winner
Marlee Matlin (Best Actress, Children of a Lesser God) and Doug Cooney, this touching new musical--
simultaneously performed in spoken English and American Sign Language--is a poignant reminder that
despite first impressions, nobody's perfect. This performance will also include CART.
Recommended for ages 9 and up.
To order tickets, visit The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts at
http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=ZIVNR

5. Page 5
In the news
Astronaut Tracy Caldwell
EDUCATION: Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the
California State University at Fullerton in 1993 and a Doctorate in Physical Chemistry
from the University of California at Davis in 1997.
Dr. Caldwell is a private pilot and conversational in American Sign Language (ASL)
and Russian. She was selected by NASA in June 1998. Her Astronaut Candidate
Training included orientation, scientific and technical briefings, and intensive
instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) systems, and water and
wilderness survival techniques.
Caldwell remembers the tragedy of Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger flight.
The choice of McAuliffe for the flight quot;made me realize that not all astronauts were
test pilots,quot; said Caldwell, who was in junior high school at the time. quot;Some were
teachers and scientists, and they had diverse backgrounds. I thought, if the teacher
was going into space, maybe I could, too.quot;
Tracy Caldwell
quot;You have to take the risks into consideration,quot; she said. quot;But what you can give to this
program, and what you get out of it, are much more important than the risks
involved.quot; (www.msnbc.msn.com)
Other crewmembers include a Canadian doctor, a chemist who knows sign language and is a former competitive sprinter
and long jumper, and a commander whose identical twin brother is also a shuttle pilot.
Caldwell was supposed to videotape the ship's external fuel tank as it jettisoned after launch, monitor sensors during dock-
ing maneuvers with the space station, and use the shuttle's robotic arm to inspect the craft for damage. If there was time,
Caldwell planned to give a video tour of the space station in sign language. Due to concerns with the heat shield, many of
these objectives may have been put on hold and the NASA website does not explicitly state if the sign language tour oc-
curred.
(www.msnbc.msn.com) & (www.space.com/missionlaunches/astronaut_bio_tracy_caldwell.html)
Who is Julie?
After the first issue of YADC many readers asked, “Who is Julie?” Well, I‟m the
person who takes all of Sharon‟s amazing writings and ideas and puts them together
into newsletter form. I like to say that I‟m the one who makes things pretty! Working
on YADC is a fun way to utilize my background in public relations and publication
design. Plus, I learn something new in every issue and there‟s nothing wrong with
that! I‟ve even read a couple of books with deaf characters—so I‟m totally qualified. :)

6. Page 6
Hearing authors (cont.)
hearing culture. As for research: I did a great deal of reading
(Continued from page 1)
and I paid a visit to Gallaudet, where the students were col-
playwright and a lyricist of youth musicals, I have a reputation lectively reading my 1995 novel, The Tortilla Curtain.”
for tackling ambitious projects -- I'm known for tackling tricky
Some of the authors were not as confident as Boyle in their
subjects with high entertainment value -- so writing a musical
decision to include a deaf character. Ginny Rorby explains, “I
with a deaf lead role is right up my alley.” Yet, Cooney isn‟t
was terrified that as a hearing person I would get some aspect
just writing about deaf characters in musicals. His latest en-
wrong. I'm still scared-silly that I did.” Rorby read numerous
deavor has been to write a play for the musical adaptation of
books about Deaf Culture and deaf people. “There are 12
Nobody’s Perfect which debuts at the Kennedy Center in Octo-
books in my library by deaf and/or hearing on the subject. I
ber. The play includes a young adult deaf actress who will be
read them all once or twice.” Rorby took sign language
starring as the main character Megan.
courses to familiarize herself with the language and “made
Author T.C. Boyle explains, “a good novelist should be able numerous trips to the California School for the Deaf” where
to portray the point of view of anyone, of any culture, and I she had an early manuscript evaluated by a CSD teacher. She
have written from many perspectives over the course of my had a later draft critiqued by an English professor at Gallau-
career (I've just finished my twentieth book of fiction).” In his det University. Rorby did this so that she could include a real-
book, Talk Talk, Boyle includes deaf character Dana Halter, a istic thirteen-year-old deaf character in her book Hurt Go,
Deaf high-school instructor with a Ph.D. and former graduate Happy.
from Gallaudet University. Boyle reveals, “I was inspired to
Unlike Rorby, Jean Ferris had prior experience with deaf peo-
create Dana because in a book about identity theft and the
ple before writing her book Of Sound Mind, the story of a Deaf
roots of individual identity, I felt it would be fascinating to
family and their hearing son. Ferris‟ college degrees included
portray another culture altogether, one that might, of neces-
Speech Pathology and Audiology. When she went to graduate
sity, protect its identity even more fiercely than that of the
school, she taught a class of deaf pre-schoolers. Ferris ex-
plains, “Those were the days when every deaf child was sup-
posed to learn to speak, and even then that seemed wrong to
me. I could see how frustrated these little toddlers were at
not being able to express themselves.” Ferris‟ novel was
“Although I know many deaf people, I actually inspired by an article that she had read in a local
newspaper which included a family where the grandparents,
wanted to make sure my representation of
parents and the children were deaf. Ferris writes, “Even the
dog was deaf! But one son was hearing--and I began to won-
a deaf person was accurate. No two deaf
der what it would feel like to be in the minority within your
people are alike, of course, but they may own family. Bingo! There was my story.”
Similarly, Penny Warner, a professor who has written an en-
share some similarities that I thought
tire mystery series including deaf character Connor West-
would be interesting to readers, and even phal, has a Master's degree in Special Ed/Deaf and has
worked with deaf infants and preschool children, and future
aid in their detecting skills.” teachers in the field of Deaf Education. Like the other authors,
Warner has done her research. She explains, “Although I
— Penny Warner
(Continued on page 7)

7. Page 7
Hearing authors (cont.)
(Continued from page 6)
“It‟s hard to adopt a „deaf voice‟ when you are
know many deaf people, I wanted to make sure my represen-
hearing. Your „hearingness‟ naturally leaks
tation of a deaf person was accurate. No two deaf people are
alike, of course, but they may share some similarities that I
through. That is why I always check my ideas
thought would be interesting to readers, and even aid in their
detecting skills.” Conner reveals, “I do have a lot of deaf fans
with deaf colleagues and students. They are
that I hear from via email. But the most exciting thing has
been working with Andrea Ferrell, the actress on 7th Heaven always very frank with me!”
who plays Heather. She wants to turn the books into a TV
—Dr. Jean F. Andrews
movie or series - and I think she'd be the perfect Connor
Westphal. I've also met with Marlee Matlin about the books.”
Another professor, Dr. Jean F. Andrews, who is the coordina-
Finally, one author began her education about deafness when
tor of graduate programs in Deaf Studies/Deaf Education
her son, Jordan, was born deaf. Jodi Cutler Del Dottore,
within the Department of Deaf Studies/Deaf Education at
author of Rally Caps, writes a fictionalized novel about
Lamar University, has included Deaf character, Matt in her
members in her family, including her deaf son. When asked
Flying Fingers Series for adolescents. Dr. Andrews began her
what advice she would give to young people who are reading
career teaching at the Maryland School for the Deaf. When
her book for the first time, she replied, “I would like every
asked who played a role in her research for the series, An-
child reading this book to see themselves as I see my own
drews explains, “My classmates at McDaniel's, my colleagues
son, as a strong, sensitive, extraordinary individual. We each
at MSD and deaf students there and the deaf students I
have a quality or ability that makes us unique, whether it's in
worked with in KY and in TX. I have many deaf colleagues
sports, art, music, dance, etc. Focus on what makes you
around the country who I enjoy working on projects with.
special and you will find the strength with the support of the
Deaf graduate students are a „source of inspiration and ideas‟
unconditional love of family…. to persevere and overcome all
too.” Although Andrews works with the Deaf community, she
difficulties and obstacles and realize that nothing is
did face some challenges as a hearing author writing about a
impossible.”
Deaf character. She reveals, “it‟s hard to adopt a „deaf voice‟
For more information on these authors or to read more about
when you are hearing. Your „hearingness‟ naturally leaks
the authors, visit my Blog http://pajka.blogspot.com/.
through. That is why I always check my ideas with deaf col-
leagues and students. They are always very frank with me!” References:
Batson, T. (1980). The deaf person in fiction: From sainthood to
Rorschach blot. Interracial Books for Children Bulletin, 11(1,2),
16-18.
“I would like every child reading this book to Bergman, E. (1987). Literature, Fictional characters in. In J.V. Van
Cleve (Ed.) Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deaf People & Deafness
see themselves as I see my own son, as a
(Vol. 2) (pp.172-176). Gallaudet College, Washington, D.C.:
McGraw Hill Book Company.
strong, sensitive, extraordinary individual.”
Pajka-West, S. (2007). The portrayals and perceptions of deaf
— Jodi Cutler Del Dottore characters in adolescent literature. (Ph.D. dissertation, University
of Virginia, 2007). ProQuest Digital Dissertations UMI No. AAT
3238142.

8. Things we love:
Julie Sharon
Eartha Kitt & Tybalt (cats) Aslan (doggie)
Tracy Larry
Franklin Covey Book décor
Read the YADC blog!
Fashion Franklin Covey
http://pajka.blogspot.com/
Google Reader Bags (purses, etc.)
E-mail us!
Handmade stuff Gmail (love those
yadeafcharacters@gmail.com
Google Guys)
On the Internet
Karen is a Deaf mom of three Deaf children who writes for her blog, A Deaf Mom Shares Her World. She also writes articles
for Hands & Voices, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with deaf and hard of hearing. Check out her
interview with me at:
http://putzworld.blogspot.com/2007/07/gallaudet-teacher-shares-her-love-of.html
Meet the authors:
Delia Ray http://www.deliaray.com
Marlee Matlin http://www.marleematlinsite.com/
Doug Cooney http://www.dougcooney.com/
Penny Warner http://www.pennywarner.com/
Ginny Rorby http://www.ginnyrorby.com/
Joyce Dunbar http://www.joycedunbar.com/
Jean Ferris http://www.jeanferris.com/
Wikipedia includes a category of Fictional deaf characters.
Some of the characters include: comic books characters such as Professor Calculus (The Adventures of Tintin) and Maya Lopez
aka Echo (Daredevil and The New Avengers); television series characters such as Gordon Cole (Twin Peeks) and Rosemary
Gavin (Rescue Me); characters from novels such as Drury Lane (by author Ellery Queen); soap opera character Thomas Henry
Edward Sinbad Sweeney (on Brookside); and a fighting game character named Voldo (in the Soul series).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fictional_deaf_characters