Book Title:  Show Me a Sign
Author:  Ann Clare Lezotte
ISBN: 9781338255829
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/9847/9781338255829
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qaBja9
Audible: https://amzn.to/470fg6L

Publisher's description:

Mary Lambert has always felt safe and protected on her beloved island of Martha's Vineyard. Her great-great-grandfather was an early English settler and the first deaf islander. Now, over a hundred years later, many people there -- including Mary -- are deaf, and nearly everyone can communicate in sign language. Mary has never felt isolated. She is proud of her lineage.
But recent events have delivered winds of change. Mary's brother died, leaving her family shattered. Tensions over land disputes are mounting between English settlers and the Wampanoag people. And a cunning young scientist has arrived, hoping to discover the origin of the island's prevalent deafness. His maniacal drive to find answers soon renders Mary a "live specimen" in a cruel experiment. Her struggle to save herself is at the core of this penetrating and poignant novel that probes our perceptions of ability and disability.

CRITICS ARE RAVING ABOUT SHOW ME A SIGN

Winner of the 2021 Schneider Family Book Award * NPR Best Books of 2020 * Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2020 * School Library Journal Best Books of 2020 * New York Public Library Best Books of 2020 * Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2020 * 2020 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist * 2020 New England Independent Booksellers Award Finalist

Deaf author Ann Clare LeZotte weaves a riveting story inspired by the true history of a thriving deaf community on Martha's Vineyard in the early 19th century. This piercing exploration of ableism, racism, and colonialism will inspire readers to examine core beliefs and question what is considered normal.

* "A must-read." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"More than just a page-turner. Well researched and spare... sensitive... relevant." -- Newbery Medalist, Meg Medina for the New York Times
"A triumph." -- Brian Selznick, creator of Wonderstruck and the Caldecott Award winner, The Invention of Hugo Cabret
* "Will enthrall readers, but her internal journey...profound." -- The Horn Book, starred review
* "Expertly crafted...exceptionally written." -- School Library Journal, starred review
* "Engrossing." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This book blew me away." -- Alex Gino, Stonewall Award-winning author of George
"Spend time in Mary's world. You'll be better for it." -- Erin Entrada Kelly, author of the Newbery Award Winner, Hello, Universe

This critically acclaimed winner of the Schneider Family Book Award joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!

About the Author:
Ann Clare LeZotte is a completely deaf and bilingual-bicultural (ASL/English) member of the Deaf community, and an essential voice for Deaf / HOH, disabled, and marginalized youth. She is the author of the Schneider Family Book Award-winning novel Show Me a Sign, which was named a best book of the year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, the New York Public Library, the Chicago Public Library, and American Indians in Children's Literature. Set Me Free, the acclaimed standalone companion, was hailed by Kirkus Reviews as a “simultaneously touching and gripping adventure.” Ann worked for many years as a youth librarian before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Gainesville, Florida.

The book does include kidnaping and grief over the loss of a family member.

I don't want to give away spoilers here for those who don't want it, but if you message me I will be happy to go into more detail.