Being Different

Feathers focuses on the peoples' differences and the reactions of others to these differences. Everyone feels different at some time in their lives. However, some people are subjected to the scrutiny of being different long-term. Frannie, who narrates the story, has learned to be protective of her older brother, Sean, who is deaf from birth. She is tuned in to the cruel and thoughtless remarks others make about his condition and tries to shield him from their sting. Although Sean is different in that he cannot hear, he is an attractive looking boy who is great at basketball and, bottom line, is just a regular guy. When some hearing girls seem to lose interest in Sean because he is deaf, Frannie reminds him that there are cute girls at his school. He tells her that he wants to feel he's a part of the entire world and...