Title:

Hurt Go Happy                                                       YA #5

Author:

Ginny Rorby

Publisher:

Starscape

Date:

2006

ISBN:

0765353040

# of Pages (Readership):

272 pp. (YA)

Genre

Realistic fiction

Diversity

Deaf protagonist

Plot Summary:

13-year-old Joey is 70% deaf from “meningitis,” or at least that’s the story her mother tells. She uses hearing aids and reads lips. Although she desperately wants to learn American Sign Language, her mother refuses to let her. Then, People will then be aware of her disability and pity her. Joey is lonely.

One day while hunting mushrooms, Joey meets Dr. Charlie Mansell, an elderly man who rescued a baby chimp named Sukari. Sukari uses ASL. Joey immediately bonds with the chimp and Charlie (pp. 25-32). Charlie, whose parents were deaf, encourages her to learn sign.

Mother continues to forbid Joey to learn ASL. Charlie insinuates himself in the situation. He brings Sukari over to Joey’s to meet her little brother, Luke. The chimp and child are perfectly matched. Joey begins to learn and teaches Luke so he can talk with Sukari.

Charlie dies suddenly. In his will, he leaves Joey money to attend the CA School for the Deaf and college. While away at school, Joey learns that Charlie’s niece had a baby and could not longer care for Sukari, who has ended up in a research lab in New Mexico. Joey also learns that she was to be Sukari’s guardian; her mother hadn’t told her.

With her mother’s help, they eventually find a healthy environment for Sukari. Joey sneaks off to rescue the chimp from the lab (pp. 220-226) and delivers her to Miami. Sukari learns to trust again and builds relationships other apes. Sadly, Sukari dies at the age of ten from liver cancer contracted from pesticide testing.

In the Afterword, the author explains how the threads of the story were inspired by real people and events.

Theme(s):

In order to build their futures, people (and animals) must overcome fears from the past.

Personal Response:

Rorby has written a powerful book. The characters are well-drawn and ring true. This story is a tear-jerker that raises the topics of abuse and animal cruelty, which are handled sensitively. This fast-moving plot will propel readers to find out what happens next and perhaps to learn more about the humane treatment of animals.

Curricular or Programming Connections:

Spousal and child abuse

Deafness and American Sign Language

Animal cruelty