Sounds of Silence

Twelve-year-old Marco Lippa is the star pitcher for his Little League baseball team and does his best to lead his team to victory against their cross-town rivals, reveling in the cheering and applause. After one particular game, he becomes sick and is rushed to the hospital. Treated for meningococcal disease, Marco wakes up to discover that he is deaf—and all of his dreams seem to crumble. Now Marco must come to terms with living in a silent world—and the grief, anger, and loss that seem to go with it. He is enrolled at the state boarding school for the deaf, leaving behind his comfortable home and his family and friends while he re-learns how to communicate and function without his hearing. As if that wasn’t hard enough, he quickly discovers that being deaf does not exempt him from the “normal” anxieties he faced at home—bullies, girls, and fitting in. Will he ever find his way back to his dreams?

“This heartwarming coming-of-age story will resonate with many deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, as well as their hearing families and friends. It is both a realistic and an upbeat account of how one young man confronts his sudden deafness and in doing so, realizes that it need not keep him from attaining his dreams.” — I. King Jordan, President, Gallaudet University

“This inspirational novel beautifully represents how family support, the resilience of youth, and the universal languages of love and friendship can help overcome any obstacle. Mr. Tomasso does a superb job of illustrating the beauty of two cultures and how we are all better by embracing diversity.” — Harold Mowl, Jr., PhD, Superintendent, Rochester School for the Deaf

“A positive story about meeting a special life challenge.”—Jeanne Griffin, Deaf Friends International

“Tomasso has a likeable rhythm/pace in his writing style. Where you are in your own deaf experience will shade the meaning of the book for you. Some might say that Marco only ‘lost his hearing,’ he didn’t become deaf. Their experience with hearing loss will invite different interpretations of Marco’s journey. Marco does appear to easily join ‘deafness’ but Tomasso introduces enough ambiguity about this new chosen identity to keep us wanting to learn more of Marco’s journey after the book ends.” — Max Wilhite, American Society for Deaf Children

“Sounds of Silence is a memorable story about a boy dealing with dashed dreams after a battle with meningitis leaves him deaf. Phillip Tomasso’s poignant yet witty portrayal of courage and determination kept me captivated page after page. The only thing missing was a box of tissues.” — K.G. Wehner, author, Amy & Tracy: Dr. Von Thistle’s Curious Concoction

“Sounds of Silence is a realistic and warm story of the journey of a young boy coming to acceptance with his hearing loss.” — Janice Justice: Cajun’s Song by Darlene Toole