You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P.

Gr 4–6—Gino offers a heartfelt and needed story about white privilege, intent vs. impact, and respecting cultural differences. Jilly Pirillo, a white 12-year-old girl, spends a good deal of time on the De La Court website, a fan fiction site based on her favorite book series. When Jilly learns that her new baby sister, Emma, is Deaf, she immediately thinks of her online friend "profoundinoaktown" (real name Derek), the only other Deaf person she knows. When she excitedly shares the news with him, she's initially disappointed when he seems annoyed and offended ("I didn't realize it was rude to tell him that Emma is Deaf. And I'm still not sure I understand why."). As she gets to know Derek better and begins to learn more about his experiences as a black Deaf boy, she's also witnessing her own family's reckoning with racism. Her Aunt Alicia, a black woman married to her Aunt Joanne, regularly experiences snide comments and assumptions by white family members. Jilly begins to take notice for the first time, slowing seeing how these "microaggressions" are related to recent news reports about black teens being shot by police. Her parents are also in the process of investigating speech therapy and cochlear implants for Emma. Jilly becomes increasingly aware of the very real challenges and dangers faced by people of color and members of the Deaf community—and slowly understands how these oppressive forces can intersect. In her attempts to help, seek advice, and advocate for what she believes is right, Jilly often stumbles and makes mistakes, unintentionally causing offense. Rather than shut down and tune out, Jilly listens and tries again, taking responsibility for her words and actions, and doing better once she knows better.