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1st out of 80 books
—
44 voters
Hurt Go Happy
by
Ginny Rorby
Thirteen-year-old Joey Willis is used to being left out of conversations. Though she's been deaf since the age of six, Joey's mother has never allowed her to learn sign language. She strains to read the lips of those around her, but often fails.
Everything changes when Joey meets Dr. Charles Mansell and his baby chimpanzee, Sukari. Her new friends use sign language to comm...more
Everything changes when Joey meets Dr. Charles Mansell and his baby chimpanzee, Sukari. Her new friends use sign language to comm...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
August 8th 2006
by Starscape
(first published 2006)
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Jul 11, 2010
Becky
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Becky by:
Kellee
Shelves:
2010,
classics,
highly-recommended,
reviewed,
tear-jerkers,
young-adult,
blog_etb,
challenge-1010
In one of the Goodreads groups I’m in, we do a bookmark swap with other members. For one of the rounds, we each chose three favorite books for the bookmark maker to choose from. The person that was chosen as my recipient, Kellee, chose “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, and “Hurt Go Happy” by Ginny Rorby. I’d read the other two books, and as much as I love them both, decided against using them as they are both so popular and well-known. “Hurt Go Happy” on the other...more
10 likes · like · see review
view all 6 comments
One of 15 Sunshine State Book, Schneider Family Book Award. Now, this is a bit of a hard story to get into at first, but it is SO WORTH IT! All her life Joey (a deaf teenage girl) is left out of conversations b/c her mom doesn't want her to learn sign b/c she thinks Joey will look strange doing it. When Joey befriends Dr. Charles Mansell and meets Sukari, a baby chimpanzee, her life changes forever. A compelling book about teenage struggles, family problems and animal rights, it is complicated a...more
Why I picked it up: I saw it listed as a read-alike on The Hub but had never heard of it, and I am generally drawn to stories with deaf characters.
When the story starts, Joey is thirteen. She meets an older neighbor, Charlie, who knows sign language because his parents were both deaf. Charlie has a chimpanzee at his home who he is teaching sign language to. Joey, whose mother refuses to let her learn sign language, finds real understanding with Charlie and the chimp Sukari.
I wasn’t wowed by it....more
When the story starts, Joey is thirteen. She meets an older neighbor, Charlie, who knows sign language because his parents were both deaf. Charlie has a chimpanzee at his home who he is teaching sign language to. Joey, whose mother refuses to let her learn sign language, finds real understanding with Charlie and the chimp Sukari.
I wasn’t wowed by it....more
I love this book! :))) It's cute, touching, a growing up novel all at the same time! The parts where I get the most emotional over is when Joey saw Sukari at the lab centre. I could visualize Sukari's condition, and it's her hand signs that got me crying. And when they went to the airport and Sukari signed for Ms Miller to hug her, I cried again.
I can't believe that this book is fiction, it sounds pretty real to me. It is a nice change to read something pretty realistic, after reading all those...more
I can't believe that this book is fiction, it sounds pretty real to me. It is a nice change to read something pretty realistic, after reading all those...more
I read Rorby’s novel as part of my goal to write a book worthy of one of the American Library Association awards, The Schnieder Family Book Award.
I feel a kinship with the main character, Joey Willis, a deaf child. Joey is isolated from the rest of the world by her inability to hear. I can hear, but can only communicate with people that can read my lips. Joey does have hearing aids, but they make her more uncomfortable than being left in a silent world.Joey’s mother refuses to let her learn Ame...more
I feel a kinship with the main character, Joey Willis, a deaf child. Joey is isolated from the rest of the world by her inability to hear. I can hear, but can only communicate with people that can read my lips. Joey does have hearing aids, but they make her more uncomfortable than being left in a silent world.Joey’s mother refuses to let her learn Ame...more
This book was awesome! Very deep and moving for a children's book. The main character Joey has substntial hearing loss caused by her father's abuse. Her mother won't let her learn sign language because it announces to the world that her daughter is deaf. Joey meets a young Chimpnanzee named Sukari who has been taught sign language. A friendship forms between Joey, Sukari, and the scientist who has taught Sukariu sign language for research purposes. As Joey learns sign language her world broadens...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Joey is deaf, her mother is adamantly opposed to her learning sign language, insisting that she learn to read lips. Not everyone has easy to read lips however, including Joey’s kind, mustached stepfather, and her rambunctious pre-school brother.
Joey often feels alone and isolated, then she meets an old man named Charlie and his chimpanzee Sukari. Sukari communicates with Charlie using ASL and Joey wants to learn more than ever how to sign, but her mom still opposes the idea.
With Charlie’s suppor...more
Joey often feels alone and isolated, then she meets an old man named Charlie and his chimpanzee Sukari. Sukari communicates with Charlie using ASL and Joey wants to learn more than ever how to sign, but her mom still opposes the idea.
With Charlie’s suppor...more
Apr 05, 2009
Lorraine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lorraine by:
Anna VR
Joey is a 14yr old girl who lost her hearing when she was seven. The first half of the story deals with her struggles with her mother over learning ASL and making friends with an old man and his chimpanzee (who can sign). The second half of the book (roughly) deals with Joey's fight to save the chimp from being used as a test subject for pesticides.
This book is young adult fiction through and through, based on my experience. There's enough school life, friends, and boys to have that area accoun...more
This book is young adult fiction through and through, based on my experience. There's enough school life, friends, and boys to have that area accoun...more
This book is probably classified as a children's book, but I never found the characters or writing style to be "juvenile." Although neither of them are deaf, my sister knows ASL and her husband learned it at a young age and interprets and teaches it to others. Thus I know some of the background on ASL (such as the fact that many view it to be just a redundant form of English, or that many parents refuse to let their children learn it). I thought the author did a great job of incorporating these...more
I began and finished this book in one day. It is one of the only books to ever move me to tears, right up there with Black Beauty and the Sixth Harry Potter Book. I strongly recomend this book for anyone with a big heart. Im not going to spoil the book by trying to explain the plot; its not that easy. All i can say is that this is one of the most beeautiful books i've ever read. The plot is bitter-sweet, made even sweeter by the originality of it.
4 likes · like · see review
recommended by my 10 DD as a "must read", I picked this one up expecting to love it. In the end, I didn't love it; however, I have a feeling the story will stay with me. Joey is 13, deaf, and not allowed to learned ASL (her Mother wants her to lip read in order to not stand out). The story takes a turn when Joey meets a neighbor who is raising a chimp, using sign language and is passionate about chimp and animal well-care. There are a lot of issues in this small book which don't all mesh. Howeve...more
3.5 stars. I had a student who loved this book and wanted me to read it, so of course, I did. The novel was inspired by a true story of a signing chimpanzee. Teenager Joey Willis lost her hearing when she was six. The exact cause of her deafness is not revealed until later in the story, but we know that her mother is completely opposed to her learning to sign. It's serendipity when Joey meets Charlie one day while looking for mushrooms on his farm. She learns that he can sign and even has a chim...more
Thirteen year old Joey Willis and her mother does not allow Joey to sign. But not everyone’s lips are easy to read which leaves Joey living in a world of missed conversations and isolation. All that changes one day when Joey mets a Dr. Charles Mansell and his friend Sukari. Charlie and Sukari become Joey’s greatest friends as they teach her to sign, to be strong, and to want more from life. The story is vividly told through detailed imagery and dialog that gives the reader a sense of what Joey d...more
The first time i read this book was in Grade 3 or 4, and i have been reading it periodically ever since.
Hurt Go Happy inspired me in a way that almost nothing has inspired me before. When i read it, they had the sign language alphabet as the first 2 pages. I was so inspired by the story, by learing about the fact that chimps can sign to, communicate with, humans!!
So inspired that i learnt the sign language alphabet. I have been fingerselling to myself since then and have wanted to learn actual A...more
Hurt Go Happy inspired me in a way that almost nothing has inspired me before. When i read it, they had the sign language alphabet as the first 2 pages. I was so inspired by the story, by learing about the fact that chimps can sign to, communicate with, humans!!
So inspired that i learnt the sign language alphabet. I have been fingerselling to myself since then and have wanted to learn actual A...more
I became aware of this book after reading Ginny Rorby's newest book, THE OUTSIDE OF A HORSE, and loving it. HURT GO HAPPY is the story of Joey, a deaf teenager who has difficulty fitting into the hearing world. Her relationship with Sukari, a chimp who has learned to sign (a skill Joey has been forbidden to learn) is one you won't soon forget.
I had a bit of a hard time wading through the first part of this book, but it was as if I was trying to experience the world with the same difficulties as...more
I had a bit of a hard time wading through the first part of this book, but it was as if I was trying to experience the world with the same difficulties as...more
Mar 04, 2012
Jessica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jessica by:
Kim
Shelves:
animals,
children-young-adult
I read this in one sitting from 3 to 8 this morning (I have terrible insomnia). I cried through most of it.
If you'd like to know more about the real-life chimp who inspired the book, I highly recommend this Radiolab episode, Lucy.
If you'd like to know more about the real-life chimp who inspired the book, I highly recommend this Radiolab episode, Lucy.
1 like · like · see review
Apr 26, 2013
Jessica
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Animal lovers, physical deformity, people who love great stories
Recommended to Jessica by:
My L.A teacher
So, in sixth grade, this was the required reading book for English. As everyone knows and has experienced, NO ONE WANTS TO READ REQUIRED READING. Even I didn't. However, after reading the first two chapters I was immediately hooked. This story brought tears to my eyes and I applaud the author. I can not think of one bad thing about this book, granted that it was 3 years ago when I read it. So, actually, I can't REMEMBER anything bad. I loved this book, even though a couple years ago I was really...more
Oct 17, 2010
Emma J
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Teens and Adults
Recommended to Emma by:
My friend
This book is amazing. It is a story about Joanne (Joey), she is almost completely deaf from a accident when she was young and her mother refuses to let her learn sign language. She meets a man named Charlie and his chimp Sukari, and they both use ASL even though Charlie is not deaf, but his parents were and Sukari can use ASL to communicate to Charlie. Charlie and Sukari secretly teach Joey ASL behind her mothers' back. Then the unspeakable happens and Sukari's life is at stake and it is up to...more
There were two major issues portrayed in this book: deafness and animal rights. I was highly impressed by the way the author, Ginny Rorby, wrote about both issues, but I was particularly moved by her insight into deafness and how it affected Joey and her mother. The debate over modes of communication for deaf and hard of hearing children is huge and Ms. Rorby presented both viewpoints realistically.
My one complaint is that I didn't care for the way time sped up at the end of the book. Large chun...more
My one complaint is that I didn't care for the way time sped up at the end of the book. Large chun...more
this was truly a wonderful book, it is based on a true story but soooo sad and hurt go happy doesnt sound like a hell of a name for a book but when you find out why you will cry i assure you : ( its sad but its a really really good book.
This is an TRULY AMAZING book. It is about a deaf girl (Joey). Through the book you realize that Joey is fully capable of leading a wonderful life even when she can't hear. The plot is very......thickly woven-Joey has problems with her mother and learning sign language, her friend who has a deaf mother, and most important is the relationship between Joey and Suzki (a chimp). This book brings you to tears when you realize how closely chimps and humans are related, but how differently they are tre...more
272 pages
Realistic fiction
by Ginny Rorby
This book is about a girl named Joey who is deaf. One day she meets a man named Charlie who owns a chimp. But not just any chimp. This chimp, named Sukari, knows sign language. Against her mother's will, Joey starts to learn to sign. But what happens to Sukari, this beloved chimp, when Charlie leaves? Joey can't have her. Who can?
This book was pretty fascinating. At some points, I couldn't put it down. At other points, I wanted to skip ahead since it was s...more
Realistic fiction
by Ginny Rorby
This book is about a girl named Joey who is deaf. One day she meets a man named Charlie who owns a chimp. But not just any chimp. This chimp, named Sukari, knows sign language. Against her mother's will, Joey starts to learn to sign. But what happens to Sukari, this beloved chimp, when Charlie leaves? Joey can't have her. Who can?
This book was pretty fascinating. At some points, I couldn't put it down. At other points, I wanted to skip ahead since it was s...more
While based loosely on a real event, this story is fictionalized in a way that is very powerful and interesting. The author's impassioned plea at the end for compassion for chimps is heartfelt.
The story itself is very interesting, about a young teen girl who has to deal with deafness. As the story progresses the reader realizes there is a second, hidden story having to do with the cause of her hearing loss. As the truth is revealed to the reader, the story takes several twists.
The mother's desir...more
The story itself is very interesting, about a young teen girl who has to deal with deafness. As the story progresses the reader realizes there is a second, hidden story having to do with the cause of her hearing loss. As the truth is revealed to the reader, the story takes several twists.
The mother's desir...more
Beautiful. An absolutely lovely written piece of art. I purchased this from a book fair at my school many years ago and to this day it remains on my bookshelf. The spine of my book is cracked and the pages worn from how often I read it. Joey and Sukari warm my heart in the way this book displays how it does not matter what species you are. This book inspired me to want to work with Chimpanzees and other great apes, perhaps when I'm older.
Every character in this book has found a place in my heart...more
Every character in this book has found a place in my heart...more
Hurt go Happy is about a 13 year old girl Joey that lost her hearing when she was 6.Joey's mom wouldn't let her learn sign language because she thought it would make her look handy caped.Suruki is a 2 year old chimp that was rescued from Africa after poachers killed her mom.Charlie thought Suruki sign language so she can tell him what she needs and wants.I thought this book was was very good,it thought me that if someone is deaf you don't have to stare just write out what you need to say.I would...more
Mar 09, 2010
Ms. Newman DHSlibrary
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who like animal stories, coming of age stories
Shelves:
animals,
disabilities
Joey has been deaf since she was 7 years old. Her mother has encouraged her to lip read and discouraged learning sign language. She just wants Joey to "fit in". But Joey doesn't fit in, she feels isolated at school and at home. One day she meets a neighbor who has an unusual pet, a rescued chimpanzee, who uses sign language to communicate. This becomes a major turning point in Joey's life.
This is an incredibly well written story. I read it in 2 evenings (I stayed up 'til 2 am the second night to...more
This is an incredibly well written story. I read it in 2 evenings (I stayed up 'til 2 am the second night to...more
A beautiful book. A wonderfully moving story. The chimpanzee is based on the life of a real chimpanzee raised as a human child. I loved the voice of the deaf girl who narrates it. It is actually the most understandable depiction of how ASL works that I've ever read.
The book is well written and flows very well. The characterizations were wonderful. All of the important people seemed complex and real.
I am going to recommend that both of my boys, 10 and 12, read this book. It is very thought provok...more
The book is well written and flows very well. The characterizations were wonderful. All of the important people seemed complex and real.
I am going to recommend that both of my boys, 10 and 12, read this book. It is very thought provok...more
What does it mean to be unable to communicate effectively? To be at the mercy of the adults? With the help of Sukari's foster father, Joey manages to find her true voice. But will she be able to speak for the chimp?
A wealth of detail enriches this story - not only do we manage to learn about different kinds of mushrooms, the weather of the Mendocino coast, what it's like to have to always remember to face a person trying to read lips, and a hint to use overgrown zucchini in an eggplant parmesan...more
A wealth of detail enriches this story - not only do we manage to learn about different kinds of mushrooms, the weather of the Mendocino coast, what it's like to have to always remember to face a person trying to read lips, and a hint to use overgrown zucchini in an eggplant parmesan...more
For me, the mark of a really great book is one that moves me on such a deep emotional level that it leaves me sobbing--yep, that is right. I love books that make me a cry. That emotional connection is one that makes a book memorable. These are the kinds of books that I seek for my students. This book is the story of a deaf girl and her friendship with a chimpanzee that uses American Sign Language. It is based on the true story of Lucy, a chimpanzee who signed. If this book does not stir your com...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| BOOKS: Hurt Go Happy | 2 | 4 | 22 de Abr 18:29 |
Ginny Rorby was raised in Winter Park, Florida, and lived in Miami during her career as a Pan American flight attendant. Midway through that career, she enrolled in the University of Miami to pursue an undergraduate degree in biology, graduated and changed direction again. She went on to receive an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida International University. Her goal, after wrapping up her flyin...more
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