When I was younger I read this book about a chimp that was taught sign language. A summary of the book that I can remember: A young girl who was deaf, was in the woods and came across an old man who had a chimp. The man gave the chimp to the girl because he was dying(I think) and she took the chimp home. The chimp already knew sign language and thats how the two communicated.
Thats pretty much all I can remember, the end of the book is all a blur, I just know that it made me cry because I think the chimp died, but Im not sure. The name of the chimp is unknown to me, but the name Sasha pops out at me, but Im not positive about it.
If anyone could help me find the book, that would be great, or give me some titles of books.
Please dont give me titles of books about chimps, or about sign language. This is a specific book, about a girl, a chimp, and sign language communication, I think of it as a story, an actual book, nothing informative.
I just wanted to give a HUGE thank you to Cabin Fever. You got the book straight on! I knew you were right when I read the title, and then the summary. Thank you sooooo much. I wish I could email you but I cant, so thank you!
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There are actually several of them, e.g. NIM, NIM CHIPMSKY, NEXT OF KIN, TEACHING SIGN LANGUAGE TO CHIMPANZEES, etc. These are not fiction, however, so probably are not what you’re looking for.
Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby
Joey Willis is deaf, and her mother won’t allow her to learn American Sign Language. Her isolated existence is turned upside down, however, when she meets her elderly neighbor, Dr. Charles Mansell, and his sign-language-using chimpanzee, Sukari. Against her mother’s wishes, Joey begins to learn to sign, and Charlie, whose parents were deaf, opens her eyes to a future filled with possibilities. When he dies, Sukari’s fate is left in Joey’s hands.