April 20 Deaf News Briefs

Two new books by deaf authors

Here are three Deaf News briefs.

The first: there are two new books by deaf authors that were released in April. The first is “True Biz” by Sara Novic. The second is “Deaf Utopia” by Nyle DiMarco and Robert Siebert.

“True Biz” is a fictional book that tells a story about students and staff at the imaginary River Valley School for the Deaf and their personal lives and conflicts. The novel is currently No. 10 on the New York Times’ list of bestsellers for hardcover fiction. The novel was selected by Reese Witherspoon’s book club. The book have illustrations by deaf artist Brittany Castle. “Deadline” reported last year that the story would be turned into a television series starring Millicent Simmonds.

“Deaf Utopia” is a memoir in which Nyle shares his upbringing in a Deaf family, his experience being a student at Gallaudet University, and his rise to fame with winning “America’s Next Top Model” and “Dancing With the Stars.” The book went on sale just yesterday.

Both books are available to order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many other places.

Deaf film “What?” available on streaming

The second Deaf News brief: a comedy film, “What?” starring Deaf actor John Maucere that was created by a team of deaf and hearing people both in front and behind the cameras is now available to stream online on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, or Vudu.

The film premiered in Los Angeles in September 2021 and it was shown in several film festivals and red-carpet style screenings across the U.S.

The film was filmed in black-and-white style in a comedy style of Charlie Chaplin, but is set in modern-day Los Angeles. It is about a Deaf actor who is tired of discrimination in Hollywood and decides to do something about it.

It is available to rent for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video or you can purchase it for $9.99. You can find it by searching “What?” For more information, check out the website www.thewhatmovie.com

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Deaf animated character in “Craig of the Creek”

The third Deaf News brief: there is a deaf animated character on an episode of Cartoon Network’s “Craig of the Creek” released on Monday night.

One of the scenes takes place during a dodgeball game. The deaf character’s name is Jackie, who is known as “The Arm” for their throwing skills.

Here is a clip of the episode from Cartoon Network’s Twitter page.

[Clip from Cartoon Network]

Nice! Animation Magazine reported that the Southern California Black Deaf Advocates consulted on this episode.

That’s the three Deaf News briefs for today.

https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv-streaming/clip-craig-learns-asl-in-tonights-craig-of-the-creek/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670269/true-biz-by-sara-novic/

https://deadline.com/2021/07/millicent-simmonds-tv-adaptation-sara-novic-true-biz-circle-of-confusion-1234787333/