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Blind
By Joanna H. Kraus,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Blind teen probes a friend's death in compelling tale.
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What's the Story?
On the Fourth of July, a rocket misfires and Emma is blinded. She now has to confront the reality of permanent blindness and must relearn everything. Trying to cross the street becomes a major challenge, and trying to recover her life seems impossible. Right after the accident, a member of her social crowd is found dead in the lake, an apparent suicide. As Emma gains confidence, she gathers some classmates to figure out what happened, and she befriends a young child who's also blind. Emma slowly realizes that she does have a life to live -- a different one, to be sure, but one worth living.
Is It Any Good?
The first third of BLIND, in which Emma is furious at the world, drags as she goes through being what she calls the "poor blind kid." However, this portion is filled with well-researched details (author Rachel DeWoskin learned braille and conducted research at the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired) and gives readers an understanding of all she has to deal with in her new reality.
Once the plot kicks in and Emma gains enough self-confidence to stop hiding from the world, she organizes a meeting of the kids from her high school to discuss their friend's drowning. The novel is compassionate and often compelling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about famous people who have met the challenges of a disability and made significant achievements in the world. Research information on Helen Keller, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Stephen Hawking, Stevie Wonder, for starters.
How does the author convey what it's like to be blind?
With a friend, do a guided blind walk. One person wears the blindfold (a scarf will do), and the other guides him or her to explore the environment noticing smells, textures, and sounds -- a world without sight. Be sure to keep the person safe, but try not to talk. After 10 minutes, switch roles. How did you feel sensing the world around you without eyes to see?
Book Details
- Author: Rachel DeWoskin
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Friendship , Great Girl Role Models , High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Viking
- Publication date: August 7, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 394
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Books with Characters Who Have Physical Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses
Coming-of-Age Books
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