This book was so incredibly good! The main issues in the book were deafness and animal rights. A teenage girl who has been deaf since she was 7 is still trying to come into her own when she knows she didn't really fit. Her hearing loss has created isolation that is only made worse by an extremely controlling and manipulating mother. Thankfully she meets a neighbor who happens to be a CODA (child of deaf adults) and his chimpanzee. Joey quickly finds comfort and love in these two friends and that helps her deal with the tension and drama that come with her relationship with her mom. The author does such an amazing job with showing the impact of hearing loss on relationships and also showing the depth of emotions involved when choosing the best communication for oneself or one's child. 
 The animal rights part of the book makes you want to get involved and prevent horrendous treatment of animals. It was expertly crafted to pull at the heartstrings and envision a similar situation to a family pet who is no where as smart or intelligent as Sukari. I had no id a there were so many chimpanzees needing homes in America. 
 This book made me cry to a depth only felt twice before. I think this shows how strong of a story it is. I don't cry when I don't care about the characters. I cared so much about these characters that I was a blubbering fool. 
 Please read this book! You won't be disappointed.