Tag Archives: CECH Library

CECH Library Spotlight: Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

This book was purchased with funding provided by a 2024 CECH Diversity Grant and selected using the Framework for Selecting Children’s Literature With d/Deaf Representation created by Emma Kist’s ASL 2003 students.

Give Me a Sign / written by Anna Sortino (2023)

Anna Sortino’s summer camp contemporary romance Give Me a Sign will pull at your heartstrings the entire read, while also leaving you giddy with what is to come next. 

This novel follows Lilah, a seventeen-year-old who happens to be deaf in one ear. All her life, her parents encouraged her along the oral route, where she got hearing aids and took years of speech classes to blend in with those around her. To Lilah, the only time she’s ever felt seen is when she attended Camp Gray Wolf, a summer camp for the Deaf and Blind. So, when she gets the opportunity to be a junior counselor for the upcoming summer, Lilah can’t say no. Throughout the summer, Lilah immerses herself in Deaf* culture, American Sign Language, true friendship, and romance. But she still has some things to learn about herself, and parts of her identity to come to terms with. 

Give Me a Sign is more than just a fun, summer romance. It shines a much-needed light on the spectrum of Deafness*, the importance of accommodations, the negative aspects of having a disability, and the struggle of accepting one’s identity. One of the biggest topics that carries throughout is the idea of ‘being Deaf enough’. Lilah struggles with this as she is surrounded by people who are fluent in ASL, who are more immersed in the culture, who are from a multi-generational Deaf family. 

Early on we are introduced to Lilah’s brother, Max, who happens to have the same type of deafness, though slightly more advanced. Max acts as a foil to Lilah, being shown to prefer the oral route to Lilah’s manual preference. Max’s character helps open the discussion of hearing devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants, which are often given to young children in hopes of integrating them into the hearing world more easily. Sortino’s novel examines so many hard-hitting topics that impact the Deaf* community such as hearing people using ASL for clout or even faking disabilities when it is convenient.

There is a quote from Sortino’s author’s note that I felt extremely poignant: “I simply hope [my novel] gives readers a glance into the depth and complexities of Deaf culture, as well as an understanding of why I and so many others are proud to be Deaf”. This novel shines a light on the ups and downs of Deafness* and basks in the pride it has for the Deaf* community. 

This book is available for checkout in the CECH Library, as well as via the OhioLINK and SearchOhio lending networks.

NOTE: In alignment with the UC ASL/Deaf studies department, I use Deaf* above to include and acknowledge the different cultures and ways of being Deaf.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

CECH Library Spotlight: Harriet Versus the Galaxy by Samantha Baines

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

This book was purchased with funding provided by a 2024 CECH Diversity Grant and selected using the Framework for Selecting Children’s Literature With d/Deaf Representation created by Emma Kist’s ASL 2003 students.

Harriet Versus the Galaxy / written by Samantha Baines (2019)

If you were ever a fan of The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Samantha Baines’ debut juvenile book Harriet Versus the Galaxy would be right up your alley.

The novel follows Harriet Green, a ten-year old from England who happens to be hard of hearing. After moving in with her Gran, she learns that her hearing aid can do more than just help her hear. She can understand alien languages. One day she’s moving in with her Gran, the next she’s being tasked to save Earth from aliens! 

Baine explores more than just Deafness* throughout her novel, however. Gender identity, while small in detail, makes a mighty difference in the way it is presented in this novel. Baines shows readers that gender identity is a topic for all ages and can be mentioned without trauma being present. This novel represents the Deaf* and gender identity with compassion without calling attention to them. 

Throughout the novel, Baines takes the opportunity to explore how bullying can have an effect on children, and how to handle it with grace. Harriet Versus the Galaxy stands tall and teaches readers how to be brave in the face of a problem, and how to be compassionate to one another without putting another person down. In the end, this book helps to encourage all of us to authentically be ourselves. 

Throughout the novel, you can find artwork reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or The Dork Diaries. With illustrations from Deaf artist Jessica Flores, you truly feel like you are with Harriet as she learns about the world of aliens — or should I say galaxy?

This book is available for checkout in the CECH Library.

NOTE: In alignment with the UC ASL/Deaf studies department, I use Deaf* above to include and acknowledge the different cultures and ways of being Deaf.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

Deaf in Media: A Legacy of Impact

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The University of Cincinnati Libraries and the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) American Sign Language (ASL) Department are partnering in cross-campus exhibits in honor of National Deaf History Month.

On display on the 4th and 5th floor lobbies of the Walter C. Langsam Library, Deaf in Media: A Legacy of Impact chronicles the representation and achievements of people who are Deaf in film, television, social media and theater. The timeline begins in the late 1800s when Deaf theater begins at Gallaudet University and includes key moments in media such as in 1986 when Marlee Matlin was the first, and only, Deaf actress to win an Academy Award; the formation of the first all-male Deaf Dance company, Wild Zappers, in 1989; the creation of the Deaf-owned and operated production company ASL Films in 2005, and Nyle DiMarco, who in 2016, became the first dancer who is Deaf to win Dancing with the Stars. The timeline goes up to 2023 when ASL performer Justina Miles performed for 60,000 spectators at the Super Bowl halftime show with headliner Rihanna. A full timeline, with links to viewable media, is listed below.

The exhibit includes books from the collections of UC Libraries about Deaf representation in media and culture.

Also at the exhibit is a bibliography and QR codes for those who want to know more about Deaf Studies at UC.

Continue reading →

CECH Library Open House — Wednesday, January 31 @ 1pm

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The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library cordially invites you to an open house on Wednesday, January 31 from 1-3pm. Stop by to learn about library offerings, chat with library staff, and enjoy a warm beverage and some cookies.

The CECH Library is located in 300 Teachers-Dyer Complex. All are welcome — hope to see you there!

Fondly,
k

KATIE FORAN-MULCAHY (she/her)
Head, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library
University of Cincinnati Libraries
katie.foran@uc.edu | 513.556.1758

CECH Library Spotlight: True Biz by Sara Novic

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

True Biz: A Novel / written by Sara Novic (2022)

Sara Novic’s True Biz: A Novel is an excellent read for those who are interested in learning about the Deaf community from different angles. For hearing people, such as myself, reading this book is a great opportunity to understand the different ways people can be Deaf*, and the way they interact with their community, culture, and environment.

This novel centers on Charlie, who has had a cochlear implant most of her life while taking the oral route; Austin, who comes from a multigenerational Deaf* family; and February, a CODA whose working desperately to keep the Deaf* school she works for open. The book begins in media res, and intertwines these three characters’ lives together.

Novic’s novel explores the different facets of the Deaf* community, and pulls real life experiences into her writing. She takes examples from the Deaf President Now movement, which occurred at the world’s only university that focuses on the education of Deaf* people. There is also a lot of focus on the ever present communication debate, which focuses on whether it’s more beneficial for a Deaf* person to communicate via American Sign Language or orally. 

There is so much to learn in Novic’s novel, and it’s a great starting point if you’re interested in learning more about the Deaf* community. Sprinkled throughout the novel is also the utilization of ASL Glossing (ASL’s grammar structure), diagrams for different signs, and interesting Deaf tidbits!

This book is available from the CECH Library, OhioLINK, and the Search Ohio lending networks.

NOTE: In alignment with the UC ASL/Deaf studies department, I use Deaf* above to include and acknowledge the different cultures and ways of being Deaf.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

CECH Library Annual Highlights, AY23

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The CECH Library is proud to present highlights and key data points from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 via the following Microsoft Sway presentation.

It has been our pleasure to serve and collaborate with the best college at the University of Cincinnati. As always, feel free to reach out directly with feedback, ideas, or questions.

On behalf of the CECH Library,
Katie Foran-Mulcahy, Head + Associate Senior Librarian
katie.foran@uc.edu | 513.556.1758

Building Community with the CECH Library

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The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services celebrated Stress Less Week this year from October 1st – 7th. College departments participated in providing stress management resources to students throughout the week in conjunction with the theme of Building Community.

The campus community was encouraged to work together to reach great heights with a Community Build LEGO Project. Participants selected LEGO pieces to add to the community space with the goal of building the highest tower possible. As communities tend to do, though, the project took on a life of its own with the addition of LEGO people, animals, and even plants.

CECH Library users also got the opportunity to complete a community art project with a unique sticker-by-number mural. The image was only revealed once enough of the stickers were placed in the correct spaces — over 2,000 stickers were placed to create this beautiful mural.

While Stress Less Week is now over, the CECH Library has community programming through October 31st. Visit our Building Community Book Display to explore items in our collection that focus on human connection, choose a book from the Banned Book Display to celebrate the diversity of our communal stories, and work together to hunt ghosts inside the CECH Library.

The CECH Library is located in 300 Teachers-Dyer Complex.

Rachel Hoople
CECH Library / Operations Manager and Student Worker Supervisor

CECH Library Spotlight: The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

The Honeys / written by Ryan La Sala (2022)

CW: transphobia, homophobia, hate crime, murder, grief, bullying

Book cover image of The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

Ryan La Sala’s contemporary horror The Honeys could be a sibling to the A24 horror movie Midsommar. 

The novel follows Mars, a genderfluid teen, as he embarks on a journey to find out more about his twin sister Caroline’s horrific death. Mars attends the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy, where his sister spent her summers leading to her death. This academy is the textbook definition for the gender binary, which Mars isn’t too fond of. But while he’s there, he meets Caroline’s old friends, the Honeys. But as Mars begins to get close to the Honeys, he starts to uncover the horrifying truth of what led to his sister’s death.

Throughout his novel, La Sala explores both the gender binary and grief explicitly. The novel is centered around Mar’s grief over losing his sister, as well as what it’s like living in a gender world where to him, gender is fluid. The novel utilizes vivid imagery to help build suspense and horror, leaving reads completely on edge the further in the book they go. 

This book is available from the CECH Library, OhioLINK, and the Search Ohio lending networks.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

CECH Library Spotlight: Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

Hollow Fires / written by Samira Ahmed / 2022

CW: Islamophobia (Graphic), Racism (Graphic), Murder, Neo-Nazism (Graphic), Xenophobia, Racial Slurs, White Supremacy (Graphic)

Samira Ahmed’s contemporary thriller Hollow Fires switches between two narratives: Jawad Ali, a middle schooler who loves to invent, and Safiya Mirza, a senior with a passion for journalism. Nothing connects the two, but to the rest of their Chicago neighborhood, they’re one in the same as they practice the same religion: Islam. 

It starts with Jawad being labeled a terrorist over his Halloween costume, then his disappearance, then his murder. Safiya follows his story closely, as her majority-white school district sweeps the incident under the rug like it’s nothing. But when she starts receiving threats like Jawad did, it’s up to her and her friends to investigate, since the school and police don’t seem to care. 

Throughout her novel, Ahmed includes multimedia pieces such as interviews, text messages, articles, and transcripts to emphasis the message. By not just jumping between Jawad (after he’s passed) and Safiya’s perspectives the novel also utilizes the literary technique of being a “frame story,” where it begins at the end and then takes readers on the journey to the end. Ahmed brings nonfiction into her novel, using real life circumstances and recent history to guide the haunting truth of Islamophobia and racism in American society in the 21st century.

Ahmed tackles modern issues within America, and this novel can be graphic in its realistic portrayal of these actions. This novel is a fantastic read, but it does tackle very heavy subjects so please read up on the content warning (CW) before reading. 

This book is available from the CECH Library and the Search Ohio lending network.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

Celebrate Pride with the CECH Library!

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Check out the Pride display all month long at the CECH Library!

Explore childrens’ and YA titles that span the spectrum of sexuality and gender identity and celebrate LGBTQIA+ figures and history. To find more LGBTQIA+ titles, check out our reading list available on the CECH Library website.