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@DisneyHyperion Releases CHARLIE & FROG: A MYSTERY

Many thanks to Disney Hyperion for providing this book for review.
All opinions are mine.
Looking for a great Spring read for the kiddos?  Check out Karen Kane's CHARLIE and FROG: A MYSTERY.
Discover the surprising ways people listen in CHARLIE and FROG: A MYSTERY (Disney-Hyperion; On Sale: April 10, 2018), a page-turning contemporary middle grade mystery filled with humor, intrigue, and heartwarming friendships, by debut author Karen Kane. Frog (aka Francine Castle), is Deaf and shines as a tenacious, crime-solving protagonist who introduces Charlie to the world of sign language and teaches it throughout.

All Charlie Tickler wants is for his parents to listen. Charlie's parents have left him (again). This time they are off to South Africa to help giant golden moles. And Charlie? He's been dumped with his TV-obsessed grandparents. Lonely and curious, Charlie heads into the village of Castle-on-the-Hudson, where a frightened old woman gives him a desperate message—in sign language. When she suddenly disappears, Charlie is determined to find answers.

All Francine (aka Frog) Castle wants is to be the world's greatest detective. Frog, who is Deaf, would rather be solving crimes than working at the Flying Hands Café. When Charlie Tickler walks into the café looking for help, Frog jumps at the chance to tackle a real-life case.

Together, Charlie and Frog set out to decipher a series of clues and uncover the truth behind the missing woman's mysterious message. Charlie needs to learn American Sign Language (fast) to keep up with quick-witted Frog. And Frog needs to gather her detective know-how (now) to break the case before it's too late.

We are really excited to share this read showing how we are more alike than we are different.  The inclusion of ASL as a secret language of sorts inspired our kids to want to learn more about ASL.  I taught the kids some baby sign when they were toddlers but they've since forgotten many of those signs.  However, we have a family friend who is deaf and she was so excited to see a book sharing a friendship between someone who uses sign language and someone who doesn't but how they develop a friendship anyway.  She also helped instruct the kids in commonly used sign language words and was eager to share the book with other parents in her group of friends who use ASL.  The kids quickly learned to sign their names and are using lessons learned from the book as a secret language of sorts much like Charlie.

Overall, a great read for middle schoolers about friendship.
Do you know ASL?  Have you ever thought of teaching your kid ASL?


Comments

Liz Parker said…
I do not know ASL, but it's interesting that the characters here use it. Disney/Hyperion books are generally very good for kids. I think it would be interesting to eventually learn ASL ... I just saw the movie Rampage this weekend, and The Rock uses ASL to communicate with the gorilla in it, which was cool.
Jeannette said…
This is something I have wanted to learn for years! I am hoping that I can at some point! My kiddo's school offers it as a language to learn and I hope when he gets older enough he will want to learn it.
My children will love this book! They have learned a lot of ASL over the years having a deaf student in their class. They feel empowered to be able to communicate. My youngest calls it a super power. I love they want to learn and are so empathetic and take it upon themselves to learn. I love this book idea! Looking forward to reading myself.
Unknown said…
Aw. My kids would enjoy this book I think. Sounds like a great story. I love that there is ASL in the book too. I remember learning some ASL in girl scouts. I still remember the alphabet. ha!
candy said…
My daughter has and is teaching her children to sign. Even as babies they could sign and tell us what they wanted. Wonderful thing to teach children.
SimplyTasheena said…
I don't know ASL and haven't taught it to the kiddos. I love that this book incorporates it in the story though.
Jeanine said…
How interesting. I don't know ASL myself, but I know my kids have mentioned it as its something talked about at school because there are a few children who use ASL so I think my kids would enjoy this.
AiringMyLaundry said…
Oh cool! I would like to teach my kids ASL. I think it's fantastic to learn. I'll have to pick up this book!
Nadalie Bardo said…
I really like the way this book is written and the audience it attracts. For a few years now, I have wanted to learn ASL. I feel like it is important to learn some simple phrases.
My child knows a fair amount of signing as it's taught in his school. He doesn't like to use it and prefers to try to use his voice, even though that's frequently difficult to understand for many. My husband and I took a class on it and I was not very good at picking it up.
Unknown said…
We taught my son ASL when he was a baby! This sounds like a good read. Perfect for summer break.
Ali Rost said…
Sounds like a great book and it introduces kids to ASL which I think is a good thing. They have a deeper understanding as to why ASL is being used as well.
I would love to get this book for my daughters. I studied ASL briefly in college and they have shown an interest in learning.
Sara Welch said…
That looks like a really neat book! Seems like it would be a great read!
Chubskulit Rose said…
I hope more and more parents would encourage their kids to read. Books like this is awesome. My two children love reading.
Carol Cassara said…
I had no idea there were books like this for the kids. I think learning ASL would be great for them. Although I'm not a parent, I think it would be a great way to make them understand what ASL is for and who uses it.
Green Tutu said…
My son loves to read. Funny thing is, it just came out of no where. Now he's that kid in school always carrying around a book. I love it! This looks like a great book for my younger nephew.
Marysa said…
This sounds like a really neat book, and something unique too. Thanks for sharing - we are always looking for good books for the kids.
Unknown said…
I don't have any kids, but i've always wanted to learn ASL. A close friend of mine is fluent in ASL and it's so interesting to see. I feel like more schools should have opportunities for kids to learn ASL like they have foreign languages.
Kate Kelly said…
My youngest would love this book, she loves ASL. This looks like a great book!

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