K-Gr 3-Chris, who's about 10 years old, explains how he uses sign language, hearing aids, lip reading, and other visual clues to compensate for his condition. He compares himself to both a hearing friend and a deaf one, pointing out similarities and differences. Computer-generated pictures of photo-realistic heads, faces, arms, hands, a dog, and other living things are superimposed on clothes, furniture, and backgrounds. The boxed text has clear and distinct borders that complement the background colors. The result is a rather interesting effect-not as sharp as photographs, but more realistic than drawings. Although the material covered isn't new, it is accurate and worth repeating, and the format is appealing.-Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Chris, deaf since birth, explains how he is like his friends (playing soccer, at school, acting in a play) and how he is different (watching for his mom's signs from the sidelines, working with his interpreter, seeing the applause). Kids will like the specific details, but the text sounds a fake. The illustrations are disconcerting--people's heads and limbs are photos while everything else is drawn with what looks like marker. From HORN BOOK Fall 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.