Teri Brown Book Title: Read My Lips Publication Date: June 3rd 2008 Publisher: Simon Pulse ISBN: 1416958681 Author's Website: http://www.teribrownwrites.com

Description of Book:

Popularity is as easy as a good secret.

Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well—even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there’s no turning back. From skater chick to cookie-cutter prep, Serena’s identity has done a 180…almost. She still wants to date Miller, the school rebel, and she’s not ready to trade her hoodies for pink tees just yet. But she is rising through the ranks in the school’s most exclusive clique. With each new secret she uncovers, Serena feels pressure to find out more. Reading lips has always been her greatest talent, but now Serena just feels like a gigantic snoop….

About the Author:

Teri Brown turned to writing in a desperate attempt to keep from having to get a paying job at her local McDonalds. Fortunately, she's been successful, and is not only a contributing editor for iParenting Media, but also the author of two nonfiction books. Her magazine credits include Writer’s Digest, Women’s Health and Fitness, Dog Fancy, and Oregon Coast Magazine, among others. Teri lives with her husband and children in a dilapidated 1969 ranch style house in Portland, Oregon. You can read more about her at Teribrownwrites.com.

Excerpt:

What the heck?

I stared at the small person waving her arms like a referee.

A quick look at my schedule confirmed that this was indeed American History taught by Ms. Fisher. So who was the little umpire? The teacher? I glanced at the other students for help, but their open mouths and blank faces mirrored my own confusion. It must be Ms. Fisher.

The woman flashed me an encouraging smile and again waved her hands in a wild arc. What was she doing? Swatting a fly? Modern dance?

The answer slammed into my stomach like a stray curve ball and a mortifying heat flooded my cheeks.

If the teacher had bothered to read the bloody file she’d have known better.

Another quick look at the class showed they were snickering. I’d rather have them laugh with me than at me. I dropped my backpack and winked at the other kids. Letting my arms and fingers fly, I waved them around in an arc, slapped them together a couple times, mimicking her perfectly. Then I looked at the teacher expectantly.

The teacher frowned. She leaned forward and started to wave her arms about again.

I finally reached out and grabbed her hands. “I don’t know sign language,” I said, though the teacher’s efforts hardly resembled the sign I’d learned, and forgotten, as a child. “I just talk. It’s easier.”

The class laughed. The teacher pulled her hands out of mine and flushed a dull brick red. “My apologies. I just assumed you’d know sign.”

Recovering quickly, she then put her hand on my shoulder and faced the class. “Class, this is Serena Nelson and she moved here from Portland,” she said, raising her voice. “She’s deaf, so you’ll have to look at her when you speak so she can read your lips. Though, from what I understand, you can hear some through your hearing aids, correct?”

I nodded. My turn to be mortified. Why did teachers always have to introduce me as the deaf girl? That was the thing about teachers. Their ability to humiliate was far superior to our ability to make them nuts.The teacher beamed. “Isn’t technology wonderful?”

Released, I snatched up my backpack and slunk over to the desk Ms. Fisher indicated. At least she’d placed me at the front of the class so I could see her face better. I ignored the curious stares.

So much for slipping in unnoticed.

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