Charlie and Frog

Ten-year-old Charlie is used to being abandoned by his parents, who spend more time on trips saving animals than with Charlie. This time Charlie is being left with his equally neglectful grandparents, who prefer watching TV to grandparenting, in Castle-on-Hudson, a quirky town in New York. But next could be boarding school, so Charlie begins a campaign to persuade his grandparents to let him stay for good. At the town library, Charlie meets Aggie, an elderly Deaf woman who is being pursued by two mysterious men. Aggie attempts to convey an important message to Charlie in sign language before she escapes her pursuers; concerned, Charlie sets out on a mission to find her. On his quest, he meets Frog, a Deaf girl whose family owns the Castle School for the Deaf. Exuberant, fearless Frog, who wants to be a detective, is a worthy foil for cautious Charlie as they begin following clues to uncover the mystery of Aggie and the book she had been searching for. Kane’s debut, a light and engaging mystery, takes on added depth through its focus on the Deaf community. Charlie longs for kinship with others; intriguingly, it’s through learning sign language that he finds friendship and connection. Ages 8–12. [em](Apr.) [/em]