A middle-grade novel in verse about a deaf boy and the conscientious war objector who helps him, by a Printz Honor–winning author.
Henry has been deaf from an early age—he is intelligent, aware of language, but by age seven, he was considered unteachable. With his impoverished family, including older sister Molly, feeling powerless to help him, Henry is sent to Riverview, a mental institution where he is misunderstood, underestimated, and treated without mercy.
Victor is a conscientious objector to the war, sent to Riverview instead of to battle. And to him, Henry is far from unteachable. As their friendship grows, Henry learns—to trust, to keep his family and friends close, and ultimately, to believe in the enduring power of human kindness.
This is Helen Frost's eleventh novel in verse.
Historical, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful, All He Knew is inspired by true events and provides a sharp insight into a little-known element of history, from acclaimed poet Helen Frost.
