This is exactly what good YA representation looks like. Maya is Deaf, and that's central to her story, but she's also funny, ambitious, occasionally stubborn, and fully human. Gervais doesn't shy away from the real frustrations of being Deaf in a hearing world, but she also doesn't make Maya a tragedy or an inspiration porn character.

The romance is sweet without being saccharine, and—crucially—Maya never loses herself in it. She's got college plans, career dreams, and zero interest in compromising her self-worth for a boy. That alone makes this worth reading.

The educational value is high but never feels like homework. You'll learn about Deaf culture, ASL, and the politics of cochlear implants without even realizing you're being taught. The book includes extra materials (author interview, cochlear implant commentary) for kids who want to dig deeper.

It's not groundbreaking literature, but it's solid, engaging, and fills an important gap in YA. If your teen needs a break from dystopian angst or fantasy quests, this is a great contemporary pick that'll leave them both entertained and more empathetic.