Allison’s Book Report – “The Sign for Home” by Blair Fell

My homeschoolers officially started school this week, which means lots of conversations about making and sticking to a budget, the American government, guitar lessons, William Shakespeare, writing a novel, and baking bread. We wander down a million rabbit holes as we go through the world, being curious and excited to learn. I love all of it, but of course, my favorite thing ever is the hour a day we all grab our cozy blankets and make tea and head for the couch or into my little library to read quietly and just be. My girls are growing up in a culture where cell phones and devices are a necessary evil – but we are attempting to find balance and make a family culture where books still reign supreme.

This week’s book combines rom-com, adventure, coming-of-age story, and all heart. “The Sign for Home” by Blair Fell sometimes feels a bit like a treasure hunt. Arlo Dilly is young, handsome, and eager to meet the right girl. He also happens to be DeafBlind, a Jehovah’s Witness, and under the strict guardianship of his controlling uncle. His chances of finding true love seem scant, but it happened once before. Many years ago, Arlo was attending a boarding school for the deaf when he met a mysterious girl who told Arlo the most amazing stories. Sadly, tragedy struck, and he lost her forever; at least, that is what Arlo thought. After years of nursing his broken heart, he is assigned a college writing assignment that stirs up memories from his past, making him question if the people he was supposed to trust have been lying to him all along and if maybe his true love isn’t lost forever. Arlo is no longer willing to accept what others tell him, so he convinces his wildly inappropriate best friend and his new interpreter to set off in search of the truth. Even though the world seems to be working against him, Arlo will stop at nothing to find “the one that got away” and experience real joy in his life.

“The Sign for Home” is a warm and witty story that will tug at your heartstrings. Fell, an experienced ASL interpreter himself, does a great job describing what Arlo’s life is like as a DeafBlind person, making this book both entertaining and informative. I dare you not to fall head over heels for Arlo and his journey to finding true love and discovering who he really is. That’s it until next week. Between now and then, pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader to check out what I am reading next and tell me all about what is next on your list.