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Waiting for a Sign
Waiting for a Sign was included in the preliminary round of Gallaudet University's 2017-2018 Battle of the Books Competition.
Shelly always adored her older brother, who seemed so much more confident and self-assured than she could ever hope to be.
But now that Ian attends the Hawthorne School for the Deaf, a residential school that gives him the opportunity to immerse himself in the Deaf community, Shelly feels abandoned and slighted in favor of Ian’s new friends. The two siblings have grown apart, with unspoken—and unsigned—resentment growing between them.
When Ian returns home with news that the state plans to close Hawthorne, Shelly isn’t sure she wants him back. The two siblings confront their feelings in an intense argument about signing, speaking, and communication. Doing so might bridge the gulf that separates them—or drive them further apart.
A thoughtful, revealing tale of family dynamics, Waiting for a Sign celebrates the beauty and power of Deaf culture, offering readers an opportunity for insight and understanding.
Shelly always adored her older brother, who seemed so much more confident and self-assured than she could ever hope to be.
But now that Ian attends the Hawthorne School for the Deaf, a residential school that gives him the opportunity to immerse himself in the Deaf community, Shelly feels abandoned and slighted in favor of Ian’s new friends. The two siblings have grown apart, with unspoken—and unsigned—resentment growing between them.
When Ian returns home with news that the state plans to close Hawthorne, Shelly isn’t sure she wants him back. The two siblings confront their feelings in an intense argument about signing, speaking, and communication. Doing so might bridge the gulf that separates them—or drive them further apart.
A thoughtful, revealing tale of family dynamics, Waiting for a Sign celebrates the beauty and power of Deaf culture, offering readers an opportunity for insight and understanding.
134 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2014
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1723 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 11, 2015
“Terrible things happen, and good things happen. They both, I’d come to realize, could happen to people I love. They both could happen to me.�
Shelly has a lot to learn about life, and her freshman year of high school will bring many challenges and lessons along with it…challenges that she just might not be ready for. In between navigating the usual high school stuff like first crushes and best friends, Shelly also has the unique challenge of connecting with a deaf brother who keeps distancing himself from the family.
When Ian first went away to attend Hawthorne School for the Deaf, Shelly missed her big brother terribly. Now that the school might be closing the year before his graduation, though, she’s not too sure that she wants him back in the house all the time. Ian, once her cherished friend and confidant, has become moody and frustrated, skipping his sister’s birthday, criticizing his parents� sign language abilities, and hiding out in his bedroom behind closed door. It starts to feel like only a miracle can bring the siblings back together again.
As it turns out, the reason for their reconciliation is not as miraculous as it is tragic, and Shelly and Ian will need each other more than ever if they hope to overcome the obstacles that are ahead of them. Will Shelly get the sign she’s looking for? Will she be able to reconnect with her brother and learn why Hawthorne is so important to him?
Esty Schachter’s novel offers a great look inside the deaf community, and she handles Ian’s challenges in a very informed and insightful way. Waiting for a Sign is a quick and simple read with a lot of heart, and older readers will appreciate the realistic relationship portrayed between siblings.
Read alike: El Deafo by Cece Bell
This review originally appeared on abookandahug.com
Shelly has a lot to learn about life, and her freshman year of high school will bring many challenges and lessons along with it…challenges that she just might not be ready for. In between navigating the usual high school stuff like first crushes and best friends, Shelly also has the unique challenge of connecting with a deaf brother who keeps distancing himself from the family.
When Ian first went away to attend Hawthorne School for the Deaf, Shelly missed her big brother terribly. Now that the school might be closing the year before his graduation, though, she’s not too sure that she wants him back in the house all the time. Ian, once her cherished friend and confidant, has become moody and frustrated, skipping his sister’s birthday, criticizing his parents� sign language abilities, and hiding out in his bedroom behind closed door. It starts to feel like only a miracle can bring the siblings back together again.
As it turns out, the reason for their reconciliation is not as miraculous as it is tragic, and Shelly and Ian will need each other more than ever if they hope to overcome the obstacles that are ahead of them. Will Shelly get the sign she’s looking for? Will she be able to reconnect with her brother and learn why Hawthorne is so important to him?
Esty Schachter’s novel offers a great look inside the deaf community, and she handles Ian’s challenges in a very informed and insightful way. Waiting for a Sign is a quick and simple read with a lot of heart, and older readers will appreciate the realistic relationship portrayed between siblings.
Read alike: El Deafo by Cece Bell
This review originally appeared on abookandahug.com
May 9, 2016
Every family has their ups and downs and sibling dynamics often seem to be at the heart of them. Ian is deaf and is attending a school for the deaf, which leaves his younger sister, Shelly, feeling a little neglected. She's not sure she wants him home full-time, as his school is set to close, because they can't seem to get along anymore. Different situations arise that cause them to each really evaluation their relationship and choices are made that will make or break it.
Both Shelly and Ian each seem to be wrapped up in their own worlds and have a lot of air to clear between them. Of course, that's easier said than done and Shelly's good friend, Lisa, helps with that. Shelly is still trying to find herself and watching her journey of self-discovery is enlightening. Ian has some hard feelings and the reasons for his actions are real and not to be discounted. I loved that, as a reader, I was able to figure things out along with the characters. Their realizations are emotional, which I wasn't expecting.
This book offers a glimpse into a few different experiences that affect people in the world today. Valuable lessons are taught to both the characters and the reader. The world is different for deaf people and it made me realize that it's also different for people with any disability. It's important to just be kind and to think outside of yourself. There's another issue that's serious to deal with and the characters handled things realistically well. This is written in a way that evokes feelings, both good and bad, and I enjoyed it.
Content: some serious issues, with vague mild violence. Very mild romance. Clean.
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Both Shelly and Ian each seem to be wrapped up in their own worlds and have a lot of air to clear between them. Of course, that's easier said than done and Shelly's good friend, Lisa, helps with that. Shelly is still trying to find herself and watching her journey of self-discovery is enlightening. Ian has some hard feelings and the reasons for his actions are real and not to be discounted. I loved that, as a reader, I was able to figure things out along with the characters. Their realizations are emotional, which I wasn't expecting.
This book offers a glimpse into a few different experiences that affect people in the world today. Valuable lessons are taught to both the characters and the reader. The world is different for deaf people and it made me realize that it's also different for people with any disability. It's important to just be kind and to think outside of yourself. There's another issue that's serious to deal with and the characters handled things realistically well. This is written in a way that evokes feelings, both good and bad, and I enjoyed it.
Content: some serious issues, with vague mild violence. Very mild romance. Clean.
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
January 6, 2017
I liked this novella-length book. The best aspect of this story is an intimate look into family dynamics when one child is deaf. This is not the author's memoir, but she did have a few years experience among the deaf. I think she did a good job conveying the challenges and misunderstandings between a hearing sister and her older deaf brother, and between the boy and his parents. I have a better understanding of deaf community in general now.
January 12, 2018
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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. Amazing. Truly amazing. This is a perfect example of a character changing and maturing throughout a novel. At the end, Shelly is a completely different person from who she was in the beginning, sneaking up on her deaf brother and saying mean things he can't hear.
I love how complex the story is, focusing on various relationships and storylines. It is still easy to follow, but complex enough to make it really interesting.
One of my favorite elements was how seamlessly Schachter works in various aspects of Deaf culture and etiquette when talking to people who are deaf or hard of hearing (looking at the person signing instead of the person interpreting). Schachter founds ways to effortlessly put these things into the story so it educated the reader without making them feel like someone was ranting at them.
I also really liked the focus on talking things out and sharing feeling, especially among the male characters. I love how open Ian became about the things that upset him and how he is able to talk through them with Shelly.
This is a truly fantastic book. I loved every page of it. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Schachter put a lot into this novel and it really shows. You can feel her on each page and it is an amazing experience.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. Amazing. Truly amazing. This is a perfect example of a character changing and maturing throughout a novel. At the end, Shelly is a completely different person from who she was in the beginning, sneaking up on her deaf brother and saying mean things he can't hear.
I love how complex the story is, focusing on various relationships and storylines. It is still easy to follow, but complex enough to make it really interesting.
One of my favorite elements was how seamlessly Schachter works in various aspects of Deaf culture and etiquette when talking to people who are deaf or hard of hearing (looking at the person signing instead of the person interpreting). Schachter founds ways to effortlessly put these things into the story so it educated the reader without making them feel like someone was ranting at them.
I also really liked the focus on talking things out and sharing feeling, especially among the male characters. I love how open Ian became about the things that upset him and how he is able to talk through them with Shelly.
This is a truly fantastic book. I loved every page of it. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Schachter put a lot into this novel and it really shows. You can feel her on each page and it is an amazing experience.
April 22, 2020
Easily on of my favorite Deaf books. I love Shelly, but more than that, I love what this book has with Deaf culture. It has ASL poetry, and a Deaf school. My 2 favorite parts: 1. When Shelly and Ian are at the sit-in at the school protesting with all of Ian's classmates, in that moment, Shelly is the odd one out. Instead of the students being deaf in a hearing world, suddenly Shelly is hearing in a Deaf world. 2. When their mom is talking to a friend about how Ian is so much better at ASL than they are, and they are struggling to keep up, the friend mentions that they could have raised Ian oral, lipreading instead of signing. In that moment, their mom gives up a little, she's had this conversation a thousand times with a thousand people, and she's tired of defending the way she has raised him.
January 14, 2020
Great insightful book on the interplay family dynamics has when a Deaf sibling is embracing a identity and culture that only he can know intrinsically well.
August 9, 2015
Waiting for a Sign by Esty Schachter � Realistic Fiction � 4th grade and up � This is a poignant, beautiful novel that powerfully addresses the importance of communication, in whatever form you use. Additionally, the tough subject of loss is addressed in a different way, through the eyes of two siblings and how they were able to help one another. There is an overall topic on the value of American Sign Language, ASL, for a community. This author really did a beautiful job of showing how family dynamics are impacted by a person who needs communication specifically through ASL and also the value of a school that has students who all are learning with the same language. I loved the book by Ginny Rorby called Hurt Go Happy and also loved Marlee Matlin’s book Deaf Child Crossing but I found this book, Waiting for a Sign, taught me more, through natural conversations, about the value of ASL than any other book and also helped me understand Deaf culture a little bit too. I also thought it celebrated the power of community and communication. I loved the civil disobedience that occurs in the book and also the outcomes of the actions taken. It was realistic and completely acceptable. This book broke my heart and made me cry a little bit but I found that a bit cathartic and appreciated every moment of my reading experience with it. Quite recommended for children who want to understand about others. Also recommended for children who might have some anger issues that could benefit from reading how other children resolved theirs. Additionally recommended for anyone who wants to gain a little understanding and empathy towards other humans, not just those who are deaf.
My favorite “aha� lines in the book were: “American Sign Language and English. One language at a time, not two. English and ASL were completely different, I knew that. They had two different grammars, two whole different ways of communicating. By trying to use them at the same time, Ian understood me less, not more.�
Note- this was a book I reviewed after receiving it from the author, so happy I said yes!
My favorite “aha� lines in the book were: “American Sign Language and English. One language at a time, not two. English and ASL were completely different, I knew that. They had two different grammars, two whole different ways of communicating. By trying to use them at the same time, Ian understood me less, not more.�
Note- this was a book I reviewed after receiving it from the author, so happy I said yes!
July 26, 2015
I have mixed feelings about this book. There's a lot happening in just 120 pages and it almost feels like it should have been two different books - one about Shelly and Lisa and one about Shelly and Ian. I get that things, good and bad, don't happen in a vacuum and sometimes dealing with one thing helps you better deal with another but, to me, Lisa's death almost felt like a convenient plot device to get Shelly to find her own confidence, etc. That's not to say that it wasn't well written or handled insensitively, it just seemed a little contrived. Besides, the much more interesting story was with Ian and the potential school closing. I really liked how well this small piece of the deaf community was portrayed. It felt very genuine and like the author truly respected not just the language difference but the cultural differences as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this quick little book and think it would be a great introduction for teens unfamiliar with deaf culture.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2018
This book didn't know what it wanted to be. One character's death (apparently a real person who was close to the author and meant as some kind of dedication to her) was irrelevant and shoe-horned in, added little to the story. The story also didn't stick to the premise promised; the relationship between brother and sister was fixed in a 30-second conversation, despite having been apparently suffering for around 6 years. The main conflict of the book, the school closing, didn't occur until 60% in. There was also a lot of info dumping about Deaf culture instead of exploring it organically. Deaf protagonists are rare, which is a problem, but subpar products like this really isn't the answer
August 9, 2015
This was a great little story. I found myself relating to the main character at times. Sometimes you find yourself smiling and other times you actually want to cry. This is a story that keeps you reading, sucks you in and makes you really feel for the characters. Esty Schachter really has a way with words and can make you feel as if you are really in the story. I highly recommend this to everyone.
June 6, 2015
I enjoyed every page of Waiting for a Sign. Not only was I fascinated with the endless things I learned about deaf culture, but I also found Shelly to be a very entertaining character. She was wonderfully normal, and I saw a lot of myself in her. I related to her trivial struggles in things like cute boys at school as well as the deeper issues of grief and loss. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, honest story of family, bravery, and triumph.
August 22, 2015
Thank you so much for the copy of your book. I read it in just one day and learned a lot. Muy community college teaches ASL I &II but nothing on deaf culture. . I am cooking to make sure one of my Instructors gets my copy because I feel it would add some very important information in class. Thank you for writing and sharing a book covering very important topics most hearing people never think about. Keep on writing.
July 3, 2015
I received this book as a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ First Reads giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity to read it! What a surprise this book was! From reading the description, I had no idea the heartstrings that would be pulled by this book. The story started out a little slow, but once it got rolling, I didn't want to stop. I cried several times throughout and found myself smiling at other parts. Well done!
June 24, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this ! it stored up many emotions regarding family, friendships, relationships, and most importantly (between the Deaf people ) COMMUNITY. Such a great reads! definitely do recommend this!!
June 14, 2019
A very beautiful story.
Read
October 16, 2019A look into the Deaf community and some of the strains that exist that are placed upon families in those situations.
June 25, 2018
her brother goes to school for the deaf, but its going to close. her best friend gets killed walking her dog when a car hit her. she joins her brother in a protest at the school to stop it from closing. they managed to keep it open one more year but then it will close for good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2025
Trigger warning for an event around the 40% mark�.i guess it’s sort of a spoiler alert but feel like I should add it anyway because it came out of nowhere…off page death (car accident.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2022
Deaf reader reviewing a story with a deaf character. This book is listed on .
The blurb is not at all a description of the story we got, and I don't think it was the story the author wanted to tell. I think the author wanted to write a tribute to a friend who had passed away, but all she's done is wedged a character based on that friend into an otherwise clumsy story about an unlikeable SODA (sibling of deaf adult) learning that her brother has the right to exist for himself rather than for her.
From page one, I instantly disliked Shelly, the narrator. She baits her older deaf brother by saying things like "Mom likes me better," sneaking into his room and breathing on him. She resents him for acting out and "making the family deal with the problem" of the only deaf-friendly school closing. It's almost like he wouldn't act out so much if he had any actual support from his family.
Later in the book, when she finally decides to be supportive, she manages to center herself again by not enjoying the feeling of being an outsider (without recognizing that that is how Ian feels literally all the time as a deaf child in a hearing family).
Moreover, this book is super triggering for deaf readers. It's supposed to be a glimpse into the family dynamics that cause a deaf child's struggles, but the novel never addresses these issues, and the family makes no effort to do better. The family treats Ian like trash. Dinner table syndrome (having spoken conversations and leaving him out), no door lights for his bedroom (no pricacy!), only access to language (book) taken right out of his hand, sim-comming (simultaneously signing and speaking) with emphasis on English speech rather than signs (one sign for every phrase means incomplete ideas), trauma of failed sit-in and the deaf school's impending shut down. I wasn't prepared for the amount of blatant ableism throughout the novel. The author seems to think the hearing reader will get the point on their own, but I sincerely doubt it.
To give an example, this was an actual conversation:
Ian: I want to be part of the family but y'all aren't accessible. You're inconsiderate of my needs.
Shelley: then don't walk away from us.
Huh??? Seriously?!
Their parents shy away from deaf events because they don't know the language, and yet they don't afford the same consideration to their son, who physcially doesn't have full access to spoken language. Talk about hypocrisy! All the more disheartening that mom at least intellectually understands that Ian needs sign, but still acts the way she does: often inconsiderate.
In the end, the language and access issues remain unresolved. The narrator says, "Some things never change, and it's nice when they don't." Um, no? What the actual hell?
As a deaf reader, this novel definitely comes across as being about a hearing girl's journey into the deaf community via her brother's struggles, but not about confronting her own ableism.
The blurb is not at all a description of the story we got, and I don't think it was the story the author wanted to tell. I think the author wanted to write a tribute to a friend who had passed away, but all she's done is wedged a character based on that friend into an otherwise clumsy story about an unlikeable SODA (sibling of deaf adult) learning that her brother has the right to exist for himself rather than for her.
From page one, I instantly disliked Shelly, the narrator. She baits her older deaf brother by saying things like "Mom likes me better," sneaking into his room and breathing on him. She resents him for acting out and "making the family deal with the problem" of the only deaf-friendly school closing. It's almost like he wouldn't act out so much if he had any actual support from his family.
Later in the book, when she finally decides to be supportive, she manages to center herself again by not enjoying the feeling of being an outsider (without recognizing that that is how Ian feels literally all the time as a deaf child in a hearing family).
Moreover, this book is super triggering for deaf readers. It's supposed to be a glimpse into the family dynamics that cause a deaf child's struggles, but the novel never addresses these issues, and the family makes no effort to do better. The family treats Ian like trash. Dinner table syndrome (having spoken conversations and leaving him out), no door lights for his bedroom (no pricacy!), only access to language (book) taken right out of his hand, sim-comming (simultaneously signing and speaking) with emphasis on English speech rather than signs (one sign for every phrase means incomplete ideas), trauma of failed sit-in and the deaf school's impending shut down. I wasn't prepared for the amount of blatant ableism throughout the novel. The author seems to think the hearing reader will get the point on their own, but I sincerely doubt it.
To give an example, this was an actual conversation:
Ian: I want to be part of the family but y'all aren't accessible. You're inconsiderate of my needs.
Shelley: then don't walk away from us.
Huh??? Seriously?!
Their parents shy away from deaf events because they don't know the language, and yet they don't afford the same consideration to their son, who physcially doesn't have full access to spoken language. Talk about hypocrisy! All the more disheartening that mom at least intellectually understands that Ian needs sign, but still acts the way she does: often inconsiderate.
In the end, the language and access issues remain unresolved. The narrator says, "Some things never change, and it's nice when they don't." Um, no? What the actual hell?
As a deaf reader, this novel definitely comes across as being about a hearing girl's journey into the deaf community via her brother's struggles, but not about confronting her own ableism.
January 21, 2015
This is a touching, poignant book about love, loss, and resilience. Centered on the relationship between a hearing sister, Shelly, and her Deaf brother, Ian, *Waiting for a Sign* explores what happens within Ian and Shelly's family, and within the larger community, when the Hawthorne School for the Deaf is threatened with closure. The characters were compelling and beautifully drawn in this deeply moving novel. *Waiting for a Sign* should be read by adults and young adults alike.
April 29, 2017
A bit too similar to 'switched at birth '. However the subplot of Lisa was a nice addition
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