Signing for Maria

Maria Lopez does not want to attend a special school where she can learn sign language and how to read lips. Her mama and papa do not need to touch her brothers, Gabriel and Paco on the shoulder before they speak to them. Maria does not want to be different. Papa and Mama do not understand her. She hates being deaf. One night Maria takes Gabriel's red bicycle and runs away from home. Will she ever learn to make friends or will Maria remain lost and unhappy? Jessie Vanderpool studied professional writing at the University of Oklahoma and has published a novella, Tender Pain. Her young adult novels include Searching for Home and Jenary Stakes a Claim. In addition, she has published the novel, Heartbreak and God's Love. She has also published a children's book, Little Rose Becomes a Hunter. Jessie's characters for her children's books are derived from teaching in an elementary school. She has also taught child psychology classes at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.