All He Knew

by Helen Frost

" A novel in verse about a young deaf boy during World War II, the sister who loves him, and the conscientious objector who helps him. Inspired by true events.

Henry has been deaf from an early age—he is intelligent and aware of langauge, but by age six, he has decided it's not safe to speak to strangers. When the time comes for him to start school, he is labeled ""unteachable."" Because his family has very little money, his parents and older sister, Molly, feel powerless to help him. Henry is sent to Riverview, a bleak institution where he is misunderstood, underestimated, and harshly treated.

Victor, a conscientious objector to World War II, is part of a Civilian Public Service program offered as an alternative to the draft. In 1942, he arrives at Riverview to serve as an attendant and quickly sees that Henry is far from unteachable—he is brave, clever, and sometimes mischievous. In Victor's care, Henry begins to see how things can change for the better.

Heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful, Helen Frost's All He Knew is inspired by true events and provides sharp insight into a little-known element of history."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Poetry, Novel In Verse, Historical, Fiction, Disability

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 2020

About the author

I'm dipping my toes into goodreads to see how it works. Thanks for finding me here, and thanks to everyone who has read and written about my books. I love to know you're there, even if I don't come here too often to say so.

Helen Frost is the author of eleven novels-in-poems and seven picture books for children and young adults. She lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/helenf...

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this book was written much, much more better than this.

This story based on actual events that happened during the world war 2 tells the story of Henry, a child who was born normal but who becomes deaf at the age of three after getting sick suddenly one night. Yes, the whole book is about Henry even though the book is divided into three parts:

Part I - Unteachable: 1933-1942

Part II - Change: 1942-1944

Part III- Home: 1944-1945

I don't see much significance of these different parts as the story had the same flow continuously throughout the book focusing on the same character.

When Part II open, Victor, a character who had to work where Henry and the other disabled kids are kept, I thought there was going to be a big different turn to the story including some change of perspectives. But nothing much happened differently.

It's a frustrating read to be honest.
The book is short, written in verse (which I feel is not quite well and I feel the book would have been much better of written otherwise) with characters that seem rather too detached.

Even Molly's, Henry's older sister, character seem a bit too detached when she's supposedly one of the few characters to be the one who fights for Henry to get him back home. At some point of time, it was like she's relieved that her younger brother doesn't live with them. And suddenly she urges her parents to take Henry home after a gap of more than ten years of abandoning the kid, parents and siblings alike.


This story demands emotions but there's lack of depth in the writing or description and yes, the characters weren't developed well enough to feel much for them.


I did cry (not because of what the writing gave me while reading the book but because of thinking how cruel the world can get specially the parents leaving their toddler to a filthy place far away from home!). I wanted to feel the story but I just couldn't get connected with the writing or even with the characters on a deeper level as I want to.

I wanted to love this book but I feel it's going to be a pretty forgettable read for me.

[Kadi P · Rating 3 out of 5]

*More like 3.5 stars than 3.*

A quick and cute read that doesn't quite manage to be touching. This book seemed to stay in the shallow end of the pool when really it could've put a little more effort in and dragged the reader to the deep end to add more depth to the tale and really turn on the waterworks. Alas, it wasn't nearly sad enough to make anyone cry because, much like the protagonist's perception of the world due to his deafness, it was like watching everything happen above the surface whilst the reader remained underwater. It was a little empty and a little too quiet, all the emotions were washed out and seemed to occur far away. Unfortunately, too far away to be impactful.

In that sense, this was a little on the disappointing side. But if you come into this one expecting nothing more than a sweet story that doesn't linger long in the mind, then you'll like this enough to spend an hour or two reading it.

[lucy Ü · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is such a sweet book. written in prose about a young boy living with deafness during world war 2 & his struggles to understand why people do not accept him and why he's been placed in a mental institution. it always kills me knowing how people saw those individuals living with a so-called "abnormality" - thinking of them as "not worthy to live" or "unteachable" as this book points out. it saddens me because nobody is "unteachable", and if you do come across a child that is hard to reach, then that responsibility lies in your own lap - you must find a way to reach them, not the other way around.

i loved this book for the style it was written in, the hope you see sprinkled around like confetti, and the strong presence of acceptance and belief in others, even when the odds are pinned up against you. it's a great book to introduce kids to talking about true acceptance and differences, and a great resource when educating others on children living with exceptional differences.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my heart. So many emotions were felt in such a short audiobook. Henry needed to be protected at all costs. From the age of four, he became deaf after getting sick. His life changed forever after that. At times, things felt completely hopeless and I just wanted to hug him. Everything he went through just made me sad. The only light at the end of the tunnel was Molly. Well, okay, maybe Victor too. But Molly, his sister, never forgot about him.

Henry, no matter what they tell you, you are teachable and lovable.

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet. Sad, but hopeful. This one put me through the wringer. 🥹

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to get all frustrated and concerned as I began reading this book. I felt so helpless as I read about Henry. He had begun his life alone and misunderstood. The label they slapped on him, became a wall. I felt some relief that Molly had never forgotten her brother, although he wasn’t living with her. She loved him whether he was physically present or not. The author’s creative way of expressing this factual event makes this a very powerful story.

Henry was four when he becomes deaf after falling ill. They had hoped that Henry could get his education at the State School for the Deaf. Needing to pass a test, Henry arrives for the test but he is unable to understand the tests’ directions. Failing the test, he can’t attend the state school and they label Henry, “unteachable.” With WWII on the horizon, they soon decide to place him in Riverview, a school for mentally disabled individuals. Talk about sad! Little time and effort are spent on the patients and Henry sinks further down. If I could just reach into this book and grab him out, I and I think plenty other readers would have.

As I read Henry’s thoughts, his hopes and his sadness, it’s beyond sad. I’m wondering how the other patients feel about life in Riverview. Molly is the only bright spot until I hear Victor’s footsteps mark the halls of Riverview. Is Victor a real person or is he an angel? Where did he come from? It’s sad to think that, finally one professional, seems to care.

With short chapters, this true event story is a story that will definitely make your think. Told through verse, it’s a fast read about this time period in history. 4.5 stars

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hit me right in the feels

[Sierra Dertinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel-in-verse left me speechless. The way Frost tugs at your emotions is something else. As Henry was aging, his parents and sister realized he had some issues with his hearing, which eventually lead to complete hearing loss. His parents took him to the State School for the Deaf, where they gave him a test to blow out candles. For Henry, he had no clue why the man kept blowing out candles and didn't understand the purpose. The School for the Deaf labeled him as "unteachable"... solely on this single "assessment". The alternative to going to the School for the Deaf was to send him to the Riverview Home for the Feebleminded. His parents knew he was anything but "feebleminded". However, they did not have many options as they were struggling with money and could not afford special hearing aids for him. The wardens treat the kids at Riverview terribly and it hurt so much to read it and feel it. However, I loved the friendships that Henry made while staying at Riverview. As years passed, it only took one person to see that Henry is truly brilliant. The end of this beautiful, gripping story was so emotional and I got the chills more than once. You'll have to read to find out how the story ends and what happens! I am so excited to add this book to my novel-in-verse collection. Yet another amazing 2020 read!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting premise--a child who has gone deaf stranded at a school for the "feebleminded," his family busy and stretched thin and feeling guilty, and the young conscientious objector who arrives at the school to relieve the staff shortage during World War II. The verse format lets the reader experience heavy topics with a lighter touch, and I really like the idea of the CO. Kids are interested in WWII but this is a side of things they may not have encountered before. The teenage CO sees the students quite differently than the longtime staff, and an author's note explains how such schools were never the same after the war. Heavy in places but never unbearable, and ultimately uplifting.

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that shows how easy it is for people with a disability to be misunderstood and underestimated. The book takes place during World War II, and thankfully things have gotten much better for Deaf community, but misconceptions are still prevalent. This story highlights the tale of one boy who was believed to be unteachable just because he couldn't speak. It also shows what life was like during World War II and it will give kids a deeper understanding and appreciation of that time period.

[Charleigh (Jesus' Version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"i'll keep learning how to read and write, he thinks, and someday i'll tell people what that place is like. it doesn't have to be the way it is."

this book was so sweet. at first, i was a little unsure if i would like this because it's poetry, but i loved it. it was a very quick read and was sooooo sweet. i'm a very slow reader, but i was able to read this fast.

molly was my favorite character. she was very kind and sweet to henry and their sibling relationship was one of the best parts in the book! the first chapter was sad, but the ending was perfect! this book really shows how good things can come from terrible things (henry befriended ned and his family while being in an awful place, molly met victor because henry was in a terrible place, and because of the war, victor took the place of many of the workers at the ward). i loved this book <3

⭐⭐⭐⭐

[bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book made me more emotional than i care to admit

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and compelling style. It is written in poem format so it makes it a quick read. About a kid who is deaf during WW2 and has to go to a School For The "Feebleminded," even though he's really smart. I recommend it.

[Shaana Niessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the recommendation, Claire!! I loved it!

[Dee Dee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad in the beginning. Hope and humanity came through towards the end.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began Helen Frost's All He Knew by reading it aloud to my fourth and fifth-grade library classes. After reading the first section, I allowed the students to vote on whether we'd continue or move on.

Only one student out of more than 100 wanted to move on! I often let the students vote on reads that will take more than one class period and I have never had such agreement. They were riveted. Our conversations about parenthood, war, disability, behavior, poverty, and education will stick with me--and I hope them--for a long time.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

All He Knew, by Helen Frost, will break your heart. The main character of this novel in verse is based upon the the life of Shirley Sowers, a man who lost his hearing at the age of four, and whose sister wrote about his life. The poems crafted by Maxine Sowers Thompson appear in chapter four, the last portion of the book. Both the person and the poetry inspired Frost to expand upon the true story.
At the age of four, Henry Williams contracted an illness that left him unable to hear. As time passed, he stopped talking, yet his ability to lip read was poor, leading people to believe he was a candidate for the Institution for the Riverview Home for the Feeble Minded, instead of the State School for the Deaf. During the exam, he did not understand that he was to blow out a lit candle, because he never had a birthday party where he got to blow out a candle on a cake.
Once he is in the school, he is overwhelmed by the poor sanitary conditions, the behavior of some of the residents and the people who work there, and the loneliness. He befriends Ted and Billy, and they help one another, joke around and communicate by drawing pictures, and become like a family. Henry doesn't let on that he can talk. "Do people think if they don't hear me talk, that means I don't have thoughts?" (p. 30) He is very intelligent and ponders the wonders of nature, by means of observations. "At night, he lies in bed and looks out through the branches, sees how they hold the moon" (p. 31). His mother, father, and older sister, Molly, visit about once a year. "...Henry dreams of home again, and when he wakes up at Riverview, and it smells the same as always, Henry can't stop tears from trickling into his ears." (p. 53).
The residents who live at the institution are living in awful, dirty conditions, with no educational programs, and uncaring and sometimes violent caretakers. Ted tries to clean up Billy's spill in the cafeteria, only to be hit by a caretaker, and when he retaliates is strapped to a chair in the hallway for over 80 days. When World War II is underway, many of the caretakers enlist, leaving Conscientious Objectors of the war, such as Viktor Jorgensen to volunteer in their place. Billy escapes when Viktor leaves the door ajar by propping it open with a book, because he doesn't know any better. Henry figures out how to find Billy and gets him back on the campus, without being detected or getting in trouble. When Henry, Billy, and many other residents contract the Measles, Henry doesn't understand why Billy hasn't returned from the Infirmary. (p. 153).
Molly and Viktor advocate for Henry to move back home, as he would have more opportunities to be loved, cared for, and to learn to communicate beyond drawing pictures, observing situations, and lip reading. Molly asks a Deaf woman and her sister to help both her and Henry to learn American Sign Language. (p. 191). Henry begins to cry when he meets, then understands, that he is not alone as a Deaf person. (p. 212).
"So many people in this little house...and I'm the one who brought us all together." (p. 233) They Williams family hosts Thanksgiving, and their friends fill every last seat. (p. 223). His transition to living back at home is well underway.
This moving novel in verse won the Scott O'Dell award for Historical Fiction, and is an excellent purchase for libraries serving communities of children grades five and older.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Henry was a young boy, he became deaf as a result of a virus. His parents take him to a school for the deaf where he is given a test to see if they will take him. The "test" is a man telling him to blow out candles. Henry doesn't understand and won't do it. As a result, he is declared "unteachable" and sent to Riverview, an institution for the feeble minded.

Hnery's parents and sister, Molly love him very much, but they don't have much money, so they agree to send him there. The conditions at Riverview are poor and get worse as the years pass. Henry, although deaf is a bright boy and quickly learns how to get by there. He makes friends with 2 boys - Ted (Ned) who is missing an arm and Billy (Buddy) who we later learn has Down Syndrome. The boys look out for each other and protect each other as best they can.

When World War II breaks out, many of the usual attendants are drafted into service. Where there used to be 6 attendants, now there is only 1 or 2. Vincent, is a conscientious objector (CO) who opposes the war and refuses to fight in it. He is often ridiculed for his beliefs. He is given a choice to work at Riverview or go to jail. I did not know what a conscientious objector was before reading this book, and I Vincent's story is good way of teaching kids about this.

Vincent is horrified by the conditions at Riverview, which have gotten much worse since the war began. Henry's parents are able to make a rare visit to Riverview and after their visit, Vincent begins corresponding with Henry's sister, Molly. He realizes that Henry does not belong there and finds a way to have Henry sent home.

This novel in verse was beautifully written. It is based on true events that occurred in the author's own family. Places like Riverview existed and kids that were smart, like Henry were often sent there just because they were deaf. Henry is a delightful little boy and made the best of a really bad situation. His family, really did love him, they did not abandon him, which unfortunately was not the case for so many placed in institutions like Riverview. His sister, Molly never gave up hope that he would come home one day and it was such a happy moment when Henry was released and sent home. I really enjoyed this book. It was heartbreaking at times, but also so uplifting!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This- this was a fantastic book! It felt so real and was so nuanced and touching and heartfelt and just so well done and so well told all around. Such an important aspect of our history, of humanity, was shared in this book. It was incredible. I loved the mixture of viewpoints. I loved the depth of the story and the timeline portrayed. I loved everything about it.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important history, accessible format, touching and sad.

[Haley Durfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye-opening novel-in-verse about Deaf kids in America in the early 1900s.

Content:
Prejudice, abuse

[Abigail Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, easy read that makes you think.

Now some thoughts, in no particular order ;)

This is about a deaf boy and a conscientious objector during WWII. I love learning about Deaf culture and history. That may or may not be why I picked up this book 😉. Discovering that it is based on a true story may also be why it made it over to the check-out counter (at the library of course 😋).

This book was written in poem form. It flowed well, and I liked how she changed poetry style with the main characters.

That said, I didn’t feel like there was anything extraordinary about most of the poetry, though that may be mostly because I don’t read that much poetry.
As mentioned earlier, it did flow well and expressed the thoughts and feelings of the characters simply and compellingly.

At the end of the book, as the author explained some of the inspiration for the book (it’s connected to several true stories!!), she included poetry from the sister of the man who inspired the main character. I could feel the emotion rising from her heartfelt words.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Henry comes here on a Greyhound bus.
Slow, along the bumpy road, his mother
in the seat beside him, sitting straight
and tall, her nostrils pinched, her words
held deep inside. She understands by now
that Henry cannot hear them.

Premise/plot: All He Knew is Helen Frost's newest verse novel. It is inspired by her own family history. (Though the book is fictional.) Henry, our hero, has been deaf since an illness when he was a toddler. He is able to talk--though he often chooses NOT to talk--but he is unable to hear. The novel chronicles his time at a home for the "feeble-minded." Henry is NOT "feeble-minded" but he's been deemed "unteachable" by the powers that be. His family hands him over to an institution.

All He Knew is set in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Most of the novel is set at the institution--Riverview. Over half the novel is told through Henry's perspective. (He's very observant and kind despite being treated cruelly for years.) But part of the novel is told through the perspective of Victor a new attendant who is a conscientious objector to the war. As the war progresses, more and more attendants are replaced. The residents--including Billy and his friends--are treated with more respect, dignity, and care.

Will Henry--who still thinks of his family and his home--ever get to leave Riverview?

My thoughts: I would give this one a million stars (out of five). It was an incredibly compelling read. I loved, loved, loved Henry. I loved his sister, Molly. I loved Victor. I loved the smidgen of a hint that a romance may, may, may develop between the two--when the time is right. I thought the characterization was excellent and the poetry well crafted.

I would definitely recommend this one.

[Allison Behling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the winner of the Scott O’Dell historical fiction award in the year 2021. At first, I chose to read the book via audiobook purely out of convenience. I listened to it for a while and then remembered partway through that this book was actually written in free verse poetry. I was surprised that I hadn’t immediately recognized this when listening to the audiobook. When listening, it sounded like traditional prose because it was read in flowing complete sentences. Without the visual cues of the line breaks for free verse poetry, I think I lost some of the rhythm or emphasis that the author intended. So, for poetry books, I would definitely recommend reading a physical copy for the full experience.

All He Knew is about a little boy, Henry, living during the World War II era. Henry was born healthy, but after getting sick he loses his sense of hearing. As a deaf child in this time of history, adults labeled him as “unteachable” and he was sent to live in an institution. Away from his family and facing abuse from many adults around him, Henry struggles to communicate “all he knows”. If the people around him could just see that Henry is an intelligent boy who happens to learn and communicate differently, he could be free. The character Victor represents this hope for Henry, as he is able to appreciate Henry’s intelligence and stand up for him.

While I am not normally drawn to historical fiction, I did appreciate this book. It was shocking and enlightening to see how people with disabilities were perceived and treated in the past. Today, there are schools for deaf children to help them learn and be successful within our communities. The fact that these children were dismissed and sent away is very sad, and helps me see the progress that we have made. But it also makes me wonder how we can continue to improve our society to make space for people who learn and communicate differently. In the future, will people feel the same way I did when reading this book about how we treat people with disabilities today?

I would recommend this book for any middle schoolers looking for a unique historical fiction book. I would especially recommend it for deaf students. I am curious as to how they would react to the story as people who can directly relate to Henry’s deafness.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

" A novel in verse about a young deaf boy during World War II, the sister who loves him, and the conscientious objector who helps him. Inspired by true events." - This is the tagline on this page and it nails the synopsis to a T!

Overall a great story, but it did take me a bit of time to get used to reading in verse. Author, Frost uses mostly Free Verse and Sonnets to tell her story, which is based on the life of her husband's mother's brother, who was "institutionalized" back in the early 1900's. It's a fascinating history and the real-life information may be found at the end of the book.

Bring the tissues - you're going to need them!

[Milton Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel in verse takes place during WWII. When a childhood illness leaves Henry deaf, he is labeled unteachable and sent to a hospital for the "feeble-minded". Boys in the institution are treated poorly and generally misunderstood, and Henry longs to go back home. Luckily, Henry makes some good friends and things start to improve when Victor, a conscientious objector to the war, comes to work at the hospital as an alternative to the draft. A sweet story about friendship and persevering in the face of adversity.

Find it today: https://ent.sharelibraries.info/clien...

Jayme A. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Bell Of The Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book that marks my year goal!
And I really enjoyed it.
Though I was unsure of how much I would, being it is written in prose/poem format, but it was a subject close to my heart: sign language.

It was difficult to read how utterly horrible those institutions were (are?).
But it was a beautiful journey from his injury that lead to deafness to his return home to grow and bloom with the aide of his family and local community.

It also reignites my desire to get rooted in the Deaf community.
Where?
How?
When?
I've not got all the answers but I know I will make use of my life in this community...

[dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from feeling like the book wasn't what the jacket said it would be about, I really enjoyed this one. It was both nice and heartbreaking to see just how people classified as "feebleminded" during such a horrific time in history were treated. When people today talk about institutions are horrible places during the 20th century, they aren't exaggerating and this book helps prove that. What more, it helps show that children weren't safe from the neglect.

[Alex Lesia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review said it best " A novel in verse about a young deaf boy during World War II, the sister who loves him, and the conscientious objector who helps him. Inspired by true events. " Great for middle school students and tells a different perspective of World War II.

[Jade qcbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 stars

While it is a beautiful story, with an important subject and wonderful prose, it just didn’t catch my heart as much as I wanted it too

This is an important story and this book should be read to children

The cover is simply >>>