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Children’s author Mickey Carolan did not have to look far for inspiration for his new picture book, Sky, the Deaf Home Run Hero: A Lesson in Courage. Being raised by two deaf parents motivated Mickey to share his family’s story as a legacy for future generations and as a social emotional learning message for all children in the deaf community.
As a CODA, or child of a deaf adult, and with American Sign Language as his first language, Mickey witnessed first-hand the challenges that face some deaf children, namely being bullied for being different. It was important for him to create a book in which a deaf child can see themselves in the story and how they can make a difference. He wants his young readers—deaf and hearing—to come away from his story understanding that deaf children can do anything except hear and that this stays with them long after the book is closed.
Mickey lives outside Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife, Erin and their two children, Elloree and Brooks. When he isn’t writing stories of courage and resilience for children, Mickey enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth sports, reading, and lifting weights. Sky, the Deaf Home Run Hero: A Lesson in Courage is his debut children’s book, the first installment in the Deaf Kids Can series.
Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite
Sky, the Deaf Home Run Hero is a children's picture book by Mickey Carolan. Here, we meet Sky. He is a boy from a small town in Michigan who won't let being deaf stop him from doing what he loves most. So every day after school, Sky grabs his baseball bat and glove and heads to the park to practice his swings. Deep inside, Sky knows he has a superpower that not many have. Not hearing allows him to focus on the ball better, and thus he can hit more home runs. But Sky has a problem. He can't communicate very well verbally to stop the bullies from bothering his brothers, and even sometimes stealing his youngest brother's baseball. So how can Sky use his superpower to stop the bullies? Read this book to find out.
According to studies, only a tiny percentage of children who have experienced bullying, both with and without disabilities, have come forward to report it. This might happen because of fear, where the child may feel responsible or blame themselves for the abuse, or because they believe others will regard them as weak, or because they are unaware they are being bullied. Mickey CaroIan's Sky, the Deaf Home Run Hero is a clever way to introduce kids to what it means to be bullied, the importance of reporting it, and how they can stand up for themselves. Sky's story is written simply, making it easy for young readers to follow along. He is a likable, well-developed character and a good role model for kids struggling with self-esteem and bullying. He is determined and clear about his desires, exhibiting resilience, confidence, and bravery at every turn. Also, through Sky's captivating story, young readers will learn valuable lessons like the power of lending a helping hand and the importance of friendship and strong family bonds.
