These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.
Anna Sortino - Author
A romance about two teenagers navigating disability, belonging and pressure: Ellie confronts ableism after leaving her Deaf school, while Jackson faces frightening bodily changes and demanding expectations. Their connection is presented alongside anger, uncertainty, compassion and questions of self-determination.
Ellie leaves a Deaf school and enters a mainstream school and hearing home, where she encounters ableism and limited understanding of her Deafness.CriticalCritical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.Critical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.
How the book presents it: The described treatment clearly positions ableism and audism as harmful obstacles, while making room for Ellie’s anger and self-determination.
Talk about: What does Ellie identify as respectful inclusion, and whose assumptions are challenged?
Living with changing disability
Jackson experiences unexplained and worsening bodily symptoms before receiving an MS diagnosis, while people around him initially minimise what is happening.CriticalCritical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.Critical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.
How the book presents it: The minimising responses are presented as frustrating and harmful; Jackson’s fear and quiet grief receive serious emotional attention.
Talk about: How do Jackson and those around him respond as his understanding of his condition changes?
Romance, compassion and self-determination
Ellie and Jackson form a romantic relationship while dealing with communication difficulties, disability-related pressures and different life experiences.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: Their relationship is described as kind, compassionate and mature, with both characters retaining distinct experiences rather than serving only as inspirational figures.
Talk about: Does their closeness support honest communication and independent choice, or does it sometimes create new pressure?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
It may offer a starting point for discussing Deaf culture, ableism and the contrast between lifelong and newly acquired disability experiences. The characters’ relationship is also described as compassionate and mature rather than merely dramatic.
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What Deserves Attention
Consider whether the reader would welcome a story involving repeated ableism, strained family and school relationships, unexplained worsening symptoms, diagnosis, fear, anger and quiet grief.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does the story distinguish helpful support from assumptions about disability, and how do Ellie and Jackson express what they need? If their circumstances change, what choices and relationships help them retain self-determination?
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Reading Approach
Read alongside time to pause after difficult school, family or health-related scenes. Discuss whose perspective is centred, what respectful support looks like, and whether the romance changes how each character understands independence and belonging.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Deafness, audism and belonging: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Living with changing disability: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Romance, compassion and self-determination: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Suitabook