The Orange House by Paul Griffin

Mik wants to keep the world at a distance by shutting off her hearing aids…but silence can’t make her happy. Or keep her safe.

Mik is a 15-year-old teenager who is hearing impaired. She likes to keep her hearing aids turned off so she can tune out the world. Jimmi is an 18 year-old veteran who refuses to take his anti-psychotic medication. While many in his Bronx, N.Y. neighborhood think he is a threat, Mik knows him to be caring and kind. It is through Jimmi that she meets Fatima, a 16 year-old illegal immigrant from Africa. Their gift of creating beautiful art helps them build a friendship that gives Mik the confidence and security she need to finally turn on her hearing aids and welcome the world around her. Unfortunately, neither Jimmi nor Fatima fare as well. What began as a promising storyline fell flat in the end. However, if you desire a quick read that lightly touches upon the issues of illegal immigrants and mental illness this is a good start.