Emma loves her big brother Carlo fiercely, spending much of her time with him. Born deaf and blind in one eye, Carlo still attends school with a sharp mind, wanting to experience the world like any child.

But when their family receives news from the school directors that they cannot cater to Carlo’s needs any longer, his parents and sister are devastated for him. The solution is home schooling which gives Carlo further opportunities to learn.

Another blow comes as Carlo’s limited eyesight is fading. His one eye that sees a little of his family, needs an operation. Will it work or will he be completely cut off from everything?

Emma shares her thoughts and worries in poems as her family support Carlo in his fight to stay connected to family and the outside world.

Penned after meeting siblings just like Emma and Carlo, this verse novel tells a story of love, compassion, growing up and hope.

Something different between the verse are different points of view from people in Carlo’s life. A school official, a sibling, a school friend and a local shopkeeper. A nurse and then Carlo himself, whose POV is portrayed in white text on black pages, signifying the darkness around him as he waits to see if his limited sight is restored.

This change in book design is powerful and really brought it home to me how we take our senses of hearing and sight for granted.

Both Emma and Carlo are courageous characters with family at the very top of important things in their lives.

Emma has her own part of the story as she gets to know a boy from school. He seems kind and is a friend to Carlo too – at least until their friendship is tested.

 Completing this short but powerful story are the Italian and US sign language alphabets.

Author – Silvia Vecchini

Illustrator – Sualzo

Translator – Geoffrey Brock

Age – 11+

(2024, Penguin Books, Translated from Italian, Sign Language, Deaf, Blind, Hearing impaired, Sight impaired, Family, Siblings, Love, Hope, Growing Up, Brother, Care, Operation)