SAIL ME AWAY HOME by Ann Clare LeZotte follows the story of Mary Lambert, a deaf girl living on Martha's Vineyard. Mary was born deaf as many on this island community. The hereditary deafness of many on Martha's Vineyard resulted in the development of a unique sign language that allowed the residents, whether hearing or deaf to communicate.
Mary is the local schoolteacher. She is proud of her ability to educate the numerous deaf children that many normally dismiss as unable to learn. She dreams of visiting a well-known deaf school in Paris to learn even more about education. When a group of missionaries offers to let her travel with them to Europe, she is thrilled that her dream may come true.
After much convincing, Mary gets her parents to agree to this distant voyage. A two-month journey by ship ends in Mary's arrival in England where she visits a school there. Their welcome isn't exactly warm and generous, but Mary does see how another educational program works.
When she arrives in Paris, she is more warmly welcomed at the school there. Although, there are uncertain times and a fear that the missionaries will be forcing her to stay with them on their journey on to Asia, Mary is able to connect with people who help her fulfill her dream of learning more about deaf education.
Ann Clare LeZotte's other books are SHOW ME A SIGN and SET ME FREE.
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