Another rare treat with Paterson’s books is that I find myself noting more about the characters’ relationships than struggles because of deafness. Jazmine experiences some obstacles because of her deafness but it is not the central focus of the books. For example, she attends a mainstream school and knows exactly what it means to be an outsider, not because she is deaf but because she and her mother have moved frequently since she was a child. The new girl is often perceived as the outsider.
After reviewing Paterson’s second novel in the series, I wrote, “I honestly feel this is one of the best books I have seen come across this blog.” Paterson never planned to write a sequel to Invisible but she received letters from fans wanting one. Not only did I want Paterson to write a third book in this series but I wanted her to include at least one other deaf character with whom Jazmine could interact.
In March 2015, Paterson and I started discussing how she would conduct research to be able to accurately tell the stories of multiple deaf characters in her novel. She put together a questionnaire that was posted on my blog and shared widely. The post received nearly 700 hits. She explicitly asked deaf people about their experiences meeting other deaf people for the first time. After reading the manuscript for this book, I think it’s my favorite yet.
While this book shares the journey of the character Jazmine, it very much makes me reflect on my own journey as a researcher. How I wish that I had had this book, which you are about to read, to recommend to my former student for her summer reading. Paterson’s character Jazmine and her new friends are deaf but this is not a book about deafness. With a wonderful garden metaphor that resonates throughout the series, this book offers believable characters and an unpredictable plot that would be perfect to add to any reading list. The series tackles teen relationships, mean girls, family secrets, fitting in, identity, and characters finding themselves.
I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have.
Sharon Pajka, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Gallaudet University
Washington, D.C.
About the Author
Cecily Anne Paterson was born in Australia but lived overseas with her family in Pakistan from the ages of three to sixteen. She spent time in the city, in the desert, and in the Himalayan mountains, where she went to boarding school for five years.
These days she lives in a tiny tourist town in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband, four children and very cuddly dog. Her hobbies include playing the cello, reading good books, watching good films and not cleaning the house.
Cecily loves getting letters from readers and tries to answer every message she gets. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or drop her a line through her website at: www.cecilypaterson.com. You can also sign up to get her newsletter, and to hear about new books and special offers.
Also by this Author
In the Coco and Charlie Franks series
Love and Muddy Puddles (Book 1)
Thirteen year old fashionista Coco Franks has finally made it into the popular group at school when her dad decides to move the whole family to the country so they can ‘bond’. Social death is looming, her shoes are covered in mud and all Coco wants to do is get herself back to her city friends.
It’ll take a boy with no dress sense and totally hick boots, and a contrary horse called Cupcake to bring Coco to her senses. But it might just be too little, too late.
Charlie Franks is A-OK (Book 2)
Unlike her drama-queen twin sister, Charlie Franks is always fine. At least she is until she has to start a new school, finds out she can’t ride her new horse, and gets told that her Mum has something totally weird wrong with her.
Charlie’s not A-OK. Not at all. And she can’t see how things are ever going to get better.
Charlie Franks won the CALEB writing prize in 2017.
Six Words That Wreck Your Life (Short Story)
Her mum has just dropped some terrible news that has Coco convinced her life is going to be over forever. Like, for reals. It’ll take some smart talking from Charlie to help her see that it doesn’t matter what people think—really.
Coming in 2018
A brand new series with brand new characters
Smart Girls Don’t Wear Mascara
Abby Smart is planning to have the most awesome year ever. She’s the leader of the Smart Girls club and her dreams to be a singer are coming true. But then Stella turns up, wrecking everything. Will Abby follow her friends or her dreams, because she certainly can’t have both.
How Not To Be Popular
It’s a bonus for Maddie when her good deed – helping weird, chicken-obsessed Tahlia get a dress for the Year Six formal – leads to a genuine friendship between them. But Maddie has a dark, guilty secret that she’s going to have to keep hidden, or risk both her new friendship and her dream to be voted the School Leader at the end of the year.
A request from the author – leave a review?
If you’ve enjoyed this book, I’d be super grateful if you would spend just a moment leaving a review. It can be as short - or as long - as you like. Leave a review on Goodreads, or the site of the retailer you bought this from, or even, just tell your friends about it.
Oh, and tell me what you thought too… I’d love to hear it.
Thank you so much xxx
Being Jazmine (Invisible Series Book 3) Page 16