Module 6 Book 3 Characters with Disabilities.

A. Bibliography: Seeger,Pete and Jacobs, Paul Dubois. Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. 2006. The Deaf Musicians. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN:
039924316x.

B. Plot Summary
A group of deaf musicians form an exciting new band that exposes subway riders to a different kind of music.


C. Literary Analysis ( with Cultural Markers).
" The real music is in people joining together."

In this jazzy and engaging book, people find a way to a new identity through their disability. The vivid eye-popping acrylic and charcoal illustrations, the onomatopoeia musical sounds, and the irresistible, zippy rhymes tell the story of Lee, a musician who is losing his hearing. Pictures show a Lee who is confused and downcast until he sees an advertisement on the subway for a school for the deaf. Maybe I can learn how to do something new, he thinks.
Thus begins Lee's entry into an exciting new world. Lee goes to class and falls in love with sign language because it looks like jazz. Soon Lee meets Max, who eagerly discusses music with Lee in sign language, on the subway. They start to make their own kind of melodies and are happily joined by Rose and eventually her friend Ellie. In no time their unique talents are recognized and they draw a crowd of regular subway commuters, who answer the question ;"Who will listen to a deaf musician?" with an enthusiastic "everyone!"

This appealing story should be a crowd-pleaser because of the bright colors and jazz-like rhythm of the language. There are only a few markers of deaf-culture in the book. These include the postive attitude toward deafness and the joy in the rich expressiveness of sign language. However, this last attribute is not clearly demonstrated as the signing hands of the musicians appear very small in the illustrations. The hands are a little hard to see.

Even so,this book,with its exuberant cascade of words and lively, resourceful characters deserves a large audience of young children.

D. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal:
"Both uplifting and inclusive, it is a celebration of music and resilience."

Kirkus Reviews:
"An unusual story, both stylish and uplifting."

E. Connections.
Have a sign language group come in to present ASL (American Sign Language) poetry or view ASL poetry on DVDs for children.

Other picture books with a positive portrayal of disabled characters include:
Stryer,Andrea Stenn. Kami and the Yaks. ISBN: 9780977896103
Parker, Robert Andrew. Piano starts here:the Young Art Tatum. ISBN: 9780375839658
Uhlberg,Myron. Dad Jackie and Me. Illustrated by Colin Bootman. ISBN:1561453293