All He Knew

All He Knew

Bibliography

Frost, Helen. All He Knew. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2020. ISBN: 9780374312992.

Plot Summary

During World War II, Henry, a boy who is Deaf, is mistakenly labeled as incapable of learning and placed into a state institution. His story crosses into Victor who is a conscientious objector working at the institution. They both begin to challenge the mistreatment they witness and begin to connect with one another.

Critical Analysis

Helen Frost uses poetry to create this story that feels gentle, yet reveals quite painful realities of institutional life. She sways back and forth from free verse to structure sonnets to show how Henry and Victor are different. Frost shows a part of American history that gets overlooked a lot. A time when people with disabilities were not only misunderstood, but mistreated. The writing is simple but powerful. It allows readers to process the emotional weight of the story carefully. It is a unique way to allow historical fiction to be a bit more accessible to students who may struggle to read more dense novels.

Review Excerpts

Starred Review for Kirkus: “The story is told in discrete poems, creating an episodic narrative that highlights poignant moments and delves into characters’ thoughts.”

Connections

This book would pair wonderfully to units about empathy, disability rights, and looking at times when marginalized groups were treated differently within our society. It is also good for teaching novels in verse or character perspectives with the voices of Victor and Henry are clearly written. Students can write their own poems from a time they felt misunderstood, or explore how institutional care has changed over time.

ISBN: 9780374312992



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