The Gift of the Girl Who Couldn't Hear [Paperback]

Susan R. Shreve (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 1993 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

"The frenzied anticipation and anxiety of a junior high audition for Annie provide the background for this lively and intelligent story. Eliza, a talented singer, is terrified to sign up for auditions although she has dreamed about starring in the musical since the third grade. But she's been friends with Lucy--who has been deaf since birth--even longer, and is amazed when her friend decides to try out. Eliza swallows her fear, however, and promises to attend the audition....The girls' characters are skillfully contrasted, and their tale is chronicled with a fresh, exuberant and up-beat style that moves the book along to its gratifying conclusion."--Publishers Weekly. "A rare book."--Booklist.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The frenzied anticipation and anxiety of a junior high audition for Annie provide the background for this lively and intelligent story. Eliza, a talented singer, is terrified to sign up for auditions although she has dreamed about starring in the musical since the third grade. But she's been friends with Lucy--who has been deaf since birth--even longer, and is amazed when her friend decides to try out. Eliza swallows her fear, however, and promises to attend the audition as Lucy's conductor. With her sunny personality and generous spirit, Lucy is immune to the cruelty that seventh-grade girls can dish out, while Eliza bridles at every snicker and smirk as Lucy struggles through her audition. The girls' characters are skillfully contrasted, and their tale is chronicled with a fresh, exuberant and upbeat style that moves the book along to its gratifying conclusion. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-- Eliza Westfield, who had been a popular kid and a good student, reaches 13 and, in her own description, "overnight turns unpretty and unsmart and mean." Unsure of herself, she refuses to try out for the seventh grade musical, Annie, despite her vocal ability and a long-held dream of being chosen for the starring role in the annual presentation, the most important event in her Toledo, Ohio neighborhood. Her best friend Lucy, who is deaf, is eager for a part, and Eliza agrees to coach her. Lucy's courage, determination, and common sense are the keys that enable Eliza to rediscover her personal resources and attain a measure of self-acceptance. Shreve gives readers a character who happens to be handicapped, but wants the same things that her peers want. The dynamics of schoolmate interaction--girl/girl rivalries, cliques, and awakening interest in the opposite sex--are believably captured. Adults here are, generally, multidimensional and positive figures. This story of a strong and honest friendship between young teen girls has many shining moments. It gives new respectability to that much maligned expression "heart-warming." --Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 21, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688116949
• ISBN-13: 978-0688116941
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,288,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Deaf girl givin a wonderful gift, to sing!, January 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gift of the Girl Who Couldn't Hear (Hardcover)

I think that this is a wonderful heart-warming story that is suitible for all ages and should be givin an award for it's great details and creativity!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Great Book I've Read, January 31, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Gift of the Girl Who Couldn't Hear (Paperback)

This book is about this girl named Eliza, which thinks she looks fat and ugly when she looks at herself on the mirror. Then one day, she met the girl who could not hear and only read people's lips to understand them. They both wanted to play on a play, so they sign up and both were accepted on a play.
I would rate this book a 4 (****), because it seems boring but interesting to read. I like the book, even though it is not the setting that makes me like the book, it is about the story. I like both of the characters, and they are okay. I am just wondering how did Eliza's friend learn how to read people's lips, so she could understand what they are saying. The book is just so-so, I mean okay, and the author didn't really use a lot of descriptive languages.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book About Friendship, December 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Gift of the Girl Who Couldn't Hear (Paperback)

The Gift of the Girl who Couldn't Hear by Susan Shreve is a great book. This book is realistic fiction. This story takes place in Mary Wood Elementary School. The main characters are Eliza and Lucy. Lucy is deaf. This book is about how Lucy tries out for the school play; Annie .Eliza is helping Lucy get a part in the play. Lucy is trying out to be one of the orphans. On the day of the tryouts, there is a surprise twist!
This book is really about friendship. I like when I found out who made the play. It was exciting. I also like the part when Eliza found out what part she got. The thing that I did not like was when it ended and I wanted it to continue. I don't want to tell you the rest, but read this book to find out the exciting ending.
I would recommend this book to the people who have friends that are deaf and the people who like books about personalities. Also it would be a good book for kids that like mysteries. The ages between 9-11 would be good for this book. My opinion is that this is an exciting and interesting book.