Megan cannot wait to meet her new neighbors—rumor has it that the new family has a little girl her age! Finally, Cindy and her parents arrive and Megan quickly rushes over to meet her potential new best friend.
“Cindy looked straight at Megan. Now she looked a little frustrated. “What’s the matter? Are you deaf or something?” she yelled back.
Megan screamed out and then fell to the ground, laughing hysterically. “How did you know that?” she asked as she laughed (10).”
Despite the fact that Megan is deaf and Cindy is hearing, the two soon become inseparable. Cindy starts to learn sign language and Megan is pleased to have a friend her age in the neighborhood! The girls head off to summer camp together, but problems soon arise. Megan resents that Cindy is always trying to help her even when she doesn’t ask. Cindy feels left out when Megan spends all her time with Lizzie—another camper who is also deaf. The two girls go through some trying times, but by the end of the summer they both have a better understanding of what it means to be a friend.
Deaf Child Crossing is the story of two nine year-olds who learn what it means to be a friend. The major difference between this novel and other’s of similar nature is that one of the main characters is deaf. Author Marlee Matlin, provides an insider perspective being deaf herself since she was eighteen months old. Matlin captures some of the struggles many deaf people experience as well as some of the curiosities and uncertainties many hearing people have about deafness. Along with Cindy, the reader learns about Megan and her experience as a deaf child.
One major point of contention between the two friends ignites when Cindy interprets for Megan without asking Megan first. “Cindy was proud she could translate so quickly for Megan. But suddenly Megan was frowning. “I didn’t ask you to help me, Cindy,” Megan said angrily (95).”
It is important that readers understand Megan’s frustration and anger about this situation. Although Cindy is only trying to help, Megan feels like she doesn’t think Megan can do things on her own. Megan’s reaction helps the reader understand that offering help is fine, but only if you first ask. You don’t want to assume someone who has differing abilities from you cannot do things on their own. Cindy certainly represents the majority, but is challenged by Megan’s reaction which provides an important message for all readers.
Throughout the story, Cindy comes to learn a lot about Megan’s deafness, which in turn helps to accurately inform the reader. Megan’s Mom explains to Cindy that “Megan wasn’t born deaf, either, but she got very sick when she was a baby, and when her fever finally came down she had lost most of her hearing (19).” This is one of the several common causes of hearing loss. Cindy is also bewildered by the flashing show of lights inside Megan’s house when she rings the door bell. She quickly realizes that the flashing lights provide Megan with a visual clue that someone is at the front door. Flashing lights are often common place in many deaf people’s lives. In the chapter entitled, telephones are stupid, the reader is exposed to some of the frustrations many deaf people experience about living in a hearing world. “But is wasn’t the same as talking on the phone. She wanted to do what everyone could do (40). “Megan couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her face. “It’s not fair! I want to use the phone like you and Daddy and Matt! (43).”
Megan is a vivacious and enthusiastic character. She is often portrayed as participating in very common activities any 9-year-old girl would enjoy. This portrayal certainly promotes a positive image of deaf people. The character of Cindy seems to provide an avenue in which Matlin can inform the reader and attend to a hearing person’s curiosities and confusion about deafness. Deaf Child Crossing would certainly intrigue young readers since the characters are so relatable in so many ways.
Matlin, Marlee. Deaf Child Crossing.
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