All He Knew

 Bibliography: Frost, H., & Thompson, M. (S. (2020). All He Knew. Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 978-0-374-31299-2


Plot Summary:  At age 4, Henry gets an illness that results in him becoming deaf. As the School for the Deaf has declared him “unteachable” his parents are forced to send him to the state “school”, where children with disabilities and the “unteachable” are sent. The children, neglected and abused, are neither educated nor genuinely cared for.  That is until Victor, a conscientious objector, begins work here. As a result of Victor’s compassion, Henry’s life is turned around as after five years he is able to return home, no longer deemed “unteachable”. 


Critical Analysis: This historical fiction is told as a novel in verse and was inspired by a real person: the brother of her mother-in-law. The book includes background information about the real life people the characters were based on, as well as poems written by her mother-in-law about her brother. The story is told through the internal monologues of Henry, his sister Molly, and his new caretaker Victor. Historically, the book is accurate in regards to details about many state run institutions in the World War II era, as well as laws concerning conscientious objectors. Henry’s family life during the Depression also gives specific details, such as ration cards and “victory gardens” that are historically accurate. Frost uses simple words that a child could read, but does so in a way that older children and young adults would also enjoy reading.  I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would and found myself invested in Henry’s story, not wanting to put the book down until the current struggle had been overcome. 


Reviews:


Goodreads.com: “Heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful, Helen Frost's All He Knew is inspired by true events and provides sharp insight into a little-known element of history."


Kirkus Reviews: “An engaging, emotional read that tells an important story—with caveats.”


Awards: 


Scott O’dell Award, 2021


Society of Midland Authors Winner-Children's Fiction


Bank Street Best Book of the Year, 2021


Connections:


Use in a middle or high school History class. Have students read primary sources regarding conscientious objectors and compare and contrast the stories.


Use in a middle or high school English class. Have students write their own story in verse (give them a prompt or topic to direct their focus).


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