“Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion” by Shannon Stocker

Written By Lia Shioleno

Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience, Listen tells the story of Evelyn Glennie, beginning from when her hearing deteriorated as a child. Having always been infatuated with playing instruments, receiving news that she will go deaf in childhood was heartbreaking, but that didn’t stop her. Despite always being told that her disability made it impossible to be a musician, she went on to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Music, receive multiple Grammy Awards, and even be knighted by the Queen of England.

I love books that highlight disabled experiences, especially those that discuss children. I know as a child I certainly would have not thought a deaf person could become a professional musician, so I know this story would give a lot of children a new perspective on what is possible.

Lia Shioleno
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