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Sway

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There was something different about Jessie. She struggled to fit in at school, surrounded by a web of lies and deceit...until she met Ethan.

Based on a true story, the novel “Sway” is about a hearing impaired teenager named Jessie who tries her best to blend in at school. Every day proves to be a test of her resolve when she is constantly plagued by the ruthless pranks of her classmates who are determined to make her life miserable. When a handsome stranger arrives in the nick of time, Jessie wonders if he is too good to be true. Is Ethan’s attention genuine, or will he betray her trust, too?

Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2009

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127 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer Gibson

4 books36 followers
Jennifer is an award winning photographer, freelance Illustrator, graphic designer and published author.

Her photography & graphic design has been featured extensively in many media formats including CHEX TV, National Geographic, SNAP magazine and Watershed Magazine as well as various local tourism/promotional materials. Jennifer's current line of work features professionally designed book covers for authors from around the world.

Jennifer was selected as one of 12 winners for the prestigious 2010 Oticon Focus on People Award and the only Canadian to have won in this national competition (North America). She was nominated as an outstanding individual with a hearing loss and for the portrayal of a hearing impaired teen in her young adult novel entitled Sway.

The HearStrong Foundation has named Jennifer Gibson a HearStrong Champion! Jennifer's dedication to helping change the stigmas surrounding hearing loss makes her pretty amazing!

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5 stars
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10 (22%)
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13 (28%)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for OpenBookSociety.com .
4,123 reviews137 followers
March 18, 2013
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn

Sway is a beautifully written short story that has a moral lesson. Jennifer Gibson shares the daily struggles of a young girl who is hearing impaired.

Jessie is a wonderful young woman struggling daily to live a normal life. She is picked on by other students at school, in very humiliating ways. The bullying and cruelty almost made me cry. But she never gives up or loses hope. Jessie doesn’t whine or complain, she just copes. I don’t know how she managed to survive all this, but she did. When she’s feeling down, Parker helps her out. It’s very cute, but I won’t say who he or she is.

In gym class, Jessie is given a martial arts lesson. She excels at it and is invited to take classes at a local facility. She really blossoms. I think the ability to defend herself gave Jessie a great deal of confidence, it empowered her. Ethan’s father owns the martial arts studio; he personally works with Jessie.

I never considered what it would be like to be hearing impaired. I freak out if my glasses break and I can’t see facial expressions. It must isolate you to a degree that makes you feel lonely a lot.

I work for a disabled woman. We are far quick to judge and/or overlook the disability. It’s important for us to adapt to them and to show deference. HELP THEM IF YOU CAN – WHETHER IT’S TO OPEN A DOOR OR HELP THEM UNDERSTAND A SIGN!!! Be more aware of people with disabilities because their lives are not easy and by a simple gesture, we can make their day better.

I recommend the book to all. Teachers should use Sway to help students understand disabilities and bullying. Parents should read it with their children to help them understand as well. I see this book as a great teaching tool.

http://openbooksociety.com/article/sw...
Profile Image for Kaitlin Bevis.
Author 16 books521 followers
October 5, 2012

This was an interesting book. Sway features a teenager named Jessie who struggles with a hearing impairment in what is probably the least tolerant community ever written. She finds herself through a self defense class, and Ethan, her karate teacher's son. Jessie goes on to have some really exciting adventures I won't go into to much detail about. The book has something exciting happening every few pages, whether it's a terrifying tornado, or a crushing birthday party, or the other stuff I won't go into, Jessie is in a constant state of emotional flux.

The good: I cared about the characters, and this novel handles slice of life good. Gibson drops the reader smack dab into the middle of Jessie's life and lets them navigate the confusion right along beside her. High school is hard enough without a hearing impairment, so the experience added another layer to what would otherwise be considered universal. I enjoyed the book and kept reading right to the very end.

The nit-picky: Gibson has perfected show don't tell down to an art, but I think she got to good at it. There were times when I felt like I needed more information that didn't come for chapters, or in some cases not at all. For example, what level of hearing loss does Jessie suffer? How does it work? But the information I wanted would have risked turning the book into a public service announcement or a thinly disguised educational/disability awareness opportunity that would have been condescending and skewed the whole plot.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and give it four stars. Buy your copy, or learn more about Jennifer Gibson here.
Profile Image for The Color of Ink.
330 reviews24 followers
April 30, 2014
“Sway” is a novel based on a true story about a hearing impaired teenager named Jessie who struggles to stay positive and grown as a young adult. Her patience, kindness, and positivity is tested as she is constantly the butt of her classmates jokes and unkind attitudes. Just when she thought things would never look up, Jessie catches a good looking stranger’s eye.

The characters are sweet and endearing. From Jessie’s creative kind nature to Ethan’s amazing understanding and sensibility, you can’t help but love them. They complement each other in ways you would only hope every human being could.

The story kept you wondering when the climatic floor was going to drop out from under and send you on a crazy spiral. It didn’t happen, but you just keep turning the pages to see what happens next. The story was touching, captivating, and heartwarming.

I would recommend “Sway” for young adults and adults looking for a sweet read. There is mild kissing and hugging that will make your heart smile. Thank you Jennifer Gibson for the great read. Good luck with everything past, present, and future.
Profile Image for Sara Bree High.
214 reviews10 followers
January 27, 2013
Sway
Jennifer Gibson has given us a touching story. It takes your heart and tugs on the strings. I never felt badly for Jessie. I thought at first I would with all her struggles. Then I realized she would not feel sorry for herself! Even though people hurt her and go out of the way to pull pranks and nonsense. (I am so happy to not be in Highschool) Jessie does not falter, and I am not sure I would be able to survive with such grace. The fact that she is hearing impaired factors into her story. However it does not define who she is in my opinion. Jessie is one tough cookie. I found myself crying for her and laughing with her. If you want a story of struggle and heartfelt courage. This is the one for you. The story allows you to see first hand how cruel people are at times. It also shows you true beauty in forgiveness. What an inspirational book. If you want a touching, heart-warming story of struggle, heartache, and courage. The heroine, Jessie, well she has one for you read!
Profile Image for Wanda Hartzenberg.
Author 5 books73 followers
January 21, 2014
Sway is the story of a girl who does not fit in. Having a hearing impairment makes our heroin an almost tragic figure. Note the almost. She is all but pathetic. This girl has spunk and determination and in this, the first book in the series she comes into being the person she is destined to be. She faces the trials of her disability and rise above them. Not without pain and scars but with them, broadening her life like the turn of the seasons into an always better person, always new, always improved.
Love this girl get up and go without being a twitch and a witch about it.
This is a story I would recommend to be read by all. It gives the reader the insight into a life not their own. Possibly also more insight into a life you are by proxy knowledgeable about like me. Or better still, if this is your life, you may see that the almost constant companion of loneliness is no longer only yours.
WaAr
Profile Image for Bodicia.
209 reviews22 followers
March 19, 2014
I loved this tale about Jessie, a teen who is hard of hearing. Based on a true story it tells of the bullying from Jessie’s school peers and the intolerance of her disability from teachers who should know better.

Jessie is a courageous teen and despite her difficulties at school she doesn’t come across as a victim but instead shows herself to be pragmatic and very likeable. She meets the son of the martial arts teacher in a school P.E. lesson when he attends to help his father with the demonstration and her confidence goes up.

This book would be a perfect educator for teens and adults alike to encourage empathy and understanding of what life is like for a person with a disability. It would certainly highlight the fact that sometimes a person’s disability can’t be as obviously seen as a broken leg in a cast.

A very enjoyable and well written story, told from a positive perspective. This is the first book in a trilogy but can be read alone.
Profile Image for Christoph Fischer.
Author 50 books469 followers
October 1, 2014
"Sway" by Jennifer Gibson is an amazing read for young adults. Without fancy vampires it is a simple, character driven story about a girl at school; a girl that's not incredibly popular but not a hopeless outsider either, a girl with a family and most of all, one with a hearing aid, which determines to some extent how she lives and perceives her life.
She has hard times, like when she plays some team sports, but also good and inspiring moments, like the relationship with her cats and with some other youngsters. We're made to see the entire spectrum of her life experience with her a wonderfully kept balance between the bad parts and the good. Gibson shows the difficulties in Jessie's life but also the good moments; we're not made simply to feel sorry for her, nor are we dealt a super heroine whose life turns up roses over night. She comes of age in this marvel of a story and grows stronger, which makes the book both realistic and inspirational.
A read I can only recommend.


Profile Image for Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews.
446 reviews35 followers
July 21, 2014
Jessie is a hearing impaired high school student who has endured merciless bullying at the hands of her classmates for far too long. As if that were not enough, some of her teachers are impatient with her because of the additional effort required to accommodate her disability. All she really wants is to just fit in, but that's not easily done given her circumstances.

Based on a true story, Sway is the empowering story of a young-adult who rises above her circumstances and does so with a charm and finesse that is both touching and inspiring. Jessie's encounter with a young man named Ethan is a significant component of this story as she finds true friendship with a sweet romantic element that makes Sway all the more appealing.

Jennifer Gibson's depiction of Jessie's story is insightful and moving.
105 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2015
Having a father who has hearing problems (due to medicine side-effects), I found it very interesting to read this book.
Considering this is a book written for young adults, I find it a very good introduction to the world of hearing impaired people, and the problems they go through during their life. As this is a girl going to school, you get a very strong anti-bullying message and you get a deeper insight in the life of just this one person and the persons she interacts with.
I missed a bit of a red thread through the book, some kind of general story, but liked it really a lot anyway.
Would certainly advise this to young adult and adult persons who are interested in the topic and are not "allergic" to romance situations!
Profile Image for Tara Chevrestt.
Author 25 books314 followers
February 11, 2014
I grew up in this world: the world of bullies, classmates that hate you on-sight, people that glance your way and whisper behind their hands, teachers that roll their eyes and grow frustrated instead of doing their job.

It's the world in Sway...and then there's some good stuff. We follow a hearing impaired teenage girl through everyday life. There's no conflict/plot. It's just everyday life and what this girl faces and how she finds love in the middle of it. There's school, tornadoes, karate class, friends that aren't friends...

http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
Profile Image for Brandy Dorsch.
Author 16 books135 followers
June 12, 2013
I was given a copy in exchange for my review.

I am in awe of Jennifer Gibson. Her writing is beautiful and heartbreaking. I thought I would have difficulty relating to Jessie but I didn't. Her struggles were no different than mine. I was the butt of fat jokes and pranks. She was just so much stronger than I was. Everyday was a personal triumph for her when she made it out of those horrible halls. I honestly would have crumpled. Jessie is my own personal hero.
Profile Image for Lynn Worton.
869 reviews31 followers
April 19, 2019
This is a wonderful young adult romance/coming of age novel. I loved it!

Jessie is a great character. I did like her, but hated her attitude at times, especially when she is full of angst, as she comes across as bratty. She is a fifteen (turning sixteen) year old teen with a hearing impairment. This is her story as she deals with school bullies, her hearing issues and the possibility of having a boyfriend.

This story is very easy to get into. The characters are well developed, and the story is very relatable. The scenes are very well described, and I could picture them with ease. I could understand Jessie's angst at being bullied, having been bullied myself at school for wearing glasses. However, I felt that the bullies would have picked on her regardless of her "disability". Children, especially those of middle grade and teenage (not all, I grant you) years can be extremely hurtful or judgmental about their peers due to differences that they see as "not cool". I think that Jessie herself is extremely judgmental towards her classmates in turn. She doesn't go out of her way to be friendly, and is extremely prickly towards anyone who even tries to befriend her. She has an almost visible brick wall built up, which I am surprised that Ethan manages to get through. The closest she has to a friend is her cat, Peter Parker. However, Ethan does get through her brick wall, and we get to see the inner Jessie as she opens up.

Not having a hearing impairment myself, I couldn't quite relate to the story, but I did find myself intrigued at how someone like Jessie relates to the rest of the world. In a way, there is no difference (in my eyes) whether you have a hearing impairment or a sight one. We, as human beings, see the world in similar but completely different ways. Our experiences shape our lives, but we have the ability to either go with the flow, or stand ridged and be set in our ways. Jessie is still trying to find out where she fits in the world, and it is interesting watching her character grow throughout the story. I am now looking forward to reading Compass, the next book, as soon as I can.

Jennifer Gibson has written an intriguing and interesting YA story based in truth. The story is not especially fast paced, but I found it a quick read. I love the way the story flows from scene to scene; it's extremely fluid. This is an author I am looking forward to adding to my favourite authors list.

I highly recommend this book to young readers aged 12 to 16, and to adults who love reading younger YA romance or coming of age novels. - Lynn Worton
Profile Image for Autumn.
2,367 reviews47 followers
February 4, 2015
*Does contain SPOILERS*

I have never read a story that has the main character having a hearing impairment, and at times I felt sorry for the way Jessie was being treated by her classmates. But she was strong enough to where she tried her best to hold her own and not let it get to her too much.
There was really no plot line to the story so if you start reading and wondering oh something magical is going to happen just know it doesn't.
Sway is more like umm I don't want to say journal because it is not but more along the line of just telling the everyday life of Jessie and what she goes through.
Now it was interesting to see how things went on in Jessie's life and how she overcame it all.
I thought Jessie doing karate was pretty cool, I learned some new words that are used in karate that I didn't know. The way the author described the whole karate scenes made me want to go out and join up to learn it.

The things I had a problem with and they are nothing major but it is what made me constantly question what was going in the book.
1. There is a scene where Jessie and Ethan are going to play hockey. I don't ever remember hockey being brought up before. I didn't know Jessie played hockey at one point in her life.
2. Jessie gets attacked outside of the dojo. That is just a weird scene overall. I can see why these guys picked on her but to put their hands on her and not have a motive such as and yes I am going to use the word rape, or thievery what was the true point of it. Unless it was to make Ethan come out as the hero who saved her.
3. When Jessie is attacked we see her mother worry over her but where was her father? It is like he doesn't play much of a part in it.
4. Her relationship with Ethan. I could see how it would evolve into a dating relationship but I didn't feel it like it seemed quick. It was like they meet, they do karate and then Ethan is saying "Eye Love You".
I did buy the other books in this series as I would like to read more to see what else goes on in Jessie's life. And they are also on sale at the time of this review. Hopefully book two is going to have more of a plot than this one.
Profile Image for Trina.
92 reviews
February 1, 2013
A free e-book which sounded promising. Unfortunately it reads more like a journal-- a year in the life of Jessica. The author is very descriptive and has some talent to draw images with words, but there was no plot to this. Despite this, I kept reading simply because I loved her characters enough to care what was happening to them. I could go on, but, I see no need to rip to pieces. I hope this author learns to prepare her plot outlines and develop her characters because I would read her work again.
Profile Image for Melissa.
33 reviews5 followers
January 28, 2013
I just loved this book. The way Jennifer Gibson wrote the characters in Sway made it realistic. I had a really hard time reading the first half because I wanted to help Jessie take on the bullies in her life and all I could do is watch from afar. Then, after she meets Ethan and things begin to look up for her you just feel so happy for her.

I would recommend this book for anyone being bullied in school or elsewhere. It will give them a sense of hope.
Profile Image for Tierney.
176 reviews11 followers
January 16, 2011
It was pretty awful if i'm honest. I just thought the writing was amateur and you could tell why it only cost 50p from Kobo ebooks. I just... i dont know, it was pretty pointless read? Nothing happened in it, and it ended where she walked through a wood and i was just like huh? I dont even know what to say... its a pretty bad book :/
Profile Image for Christi.
1 review
January 12, 2011
I bought the book from KoBo b/c it was cheap. Its very obvious why. I kept reading waiting for something to happen but nothing ever did. I bought the sequel as well but now I am not sure if I am even going to read it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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