The Sound of Waves takes readers on a journey with Benjamin, a thirteen-year-old boy, who is navigating his way in an inclusive school, being the only deaf student. He is constantly bullied and derided for his inability to hear without his hearing aids. He also has the dual challenge of coping with speech delay and being socially isolated from his peers. It is a story of facing inner fears to achieve personal growth despite challenges.
The novel explores themes of friendship, growth, identity, adversity, empathy, courage, prejudice and family, among others. This book will provide representation for a marginalized and often underrepresented group of children in Jamaican literature. In the end, readers’ conception of people with special needs will be wider and healthier.