The conclusion to the Show Me a Sign trilogy by Ann Clare LeZotte, Sail Me Away Home could (as the previous two books) be read on its own and not suffer from the lack of reading the others, but with them greater context and understanding of motivations is gained.

Mary Lambert's experiences as a deaf person on Martha's Vineyard living in the community which has other members who are also deaf living a full life, using the sign language specific to that region, have settled her into the role and profession of teacher. She gains deep satisfaction in teaching MVSL (Martha's Vineyard sign language) to others proving deafness isn't an indicator of a person of less intelligence or capability - it is simply an educational hurdle to overcome. Although she'd like adventure and discovery in her future, she realizes that's not her lot in life.

It is at this point the plot turns, and Mary Lambert has the opportunity for her dreams to come true, but she finds it will be at a cost that she isn't certain she's ready to pay. Conflict of interest, troubles communicating in a newly developed sign language, different than the Martha's Vineyard sign language present problems.

But this is Mary Lambert we are talking about. . . .thoughtful and quietly determined, she finds a way through. A first-rate resolution with which to part ways with this very capable character and her future.

*A sincere thank you to Ann Clare LeZotte, Scholastic Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #SailMeAwayHomeShowMeaSign #NetGalley

I’ve really enjoyed this trilogy. It taught me a lot about the deaf community, Wampanoag life, and life near the shore. It was eye opening to read about their efforts to save their students and what they were asking them to change. It’s an important book about acceptance and preserving culture.

I loved revisiting Mary and her family in their island community. In this book, it’s not a terrible crisis that pulls her away from home, but a growing awareness of how some people are marginalized or excluded. In part, this happens as she teaches school for her community, and the local leaders only agree to keep her on as a teacher if she refuses to allow Irish children into the classroom. Mary balks at this and finds a way around this ruling, but she feels stifled and angry at the cruelty of it.

In some ways, this is a gentler story than the previous two in the series. It still reveals to readers some of the prejudices the Deaf faced in the early 1800s. This time, we’re introduced to the development of a formal sign language and a formal school for the Deaf.

I liked getting to see those historical moments brought to life through a character as vibrant and creative as Mary is. I also loved that the whole story reads as if it were Mary’s journal. The chapters aren’t written as journal entries, but the tone felt like that to me. It feels as if she’s speaking directly to the reader, the way someone might write in a diary or journal.

On the whole, I think this is a great series and I’ve really enjoyed reading it.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

This was such an intriguing read, and I really enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about Deaf/deaf culture on Martha’s Vineyard.

I felt that the blurb was slightly misleading by calling this a standalone, because the first third of the novel involved many flashbacks to previous installments, which I had not read, but will have to look up. There were many allusions to information that would’ve been helpful to know about the backstory.

That having been said, Mary was a compelling character, who really challenged the notions of Deaf people that were common in her day and age.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story but do recommend reading the whole series. I appreciate being gifted this ebook!

Mary Lambert has had adventure and heartache in her young life. She was taken from her home to be studied as a curiosity because of her deafness. She later chose to leave again to help another lost child. And now as a schoolteacher in her hometown of Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, Mary is restless again. She loves teaching and her students, but now that she knows there are other deaf communities and schools out in the world, she can't help but want to learn more. When an opportunity arises to travel and do just that, Mary must learn from her past in order to keep herself safe and become the teacher she wants to be.

A fictionalized account of a historical island known as Martha's Vineyard and the culture of the decades of people with hereditary deafness who inhabited the island. Martha's Vineyard's last remaining citizen died in 1952. Written by a woman who is deaf herself, "Sail Me Away Home" tells the story of a deaf school teacher who is searching for her way in life outside of her small island home. Readers learn about the different sign languages, namely French Sign Language, American Sign Language, and the island population's own unique variation; Martha's Vineyard Sign Language.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to preview this book