Stops Along the Way by Anna Sortino

Stops Along the Way is a coming-of-age romance novel that captures the relatable, realistic emotions and growth of young adults. The characters of the novel gradually gain an understanding of themselves, others, and their relationships throughout the course of the novel. The novel is notable that explores theme of disability, both deafness and blindness. 

The main protagonist of the novel, Iris, is partially deaf and wears hearing aids. Furthermore, she has an older sister who experiences vision loss and worries if she will also inherit and develop the same condition. Yet, instead of solely focusing on their disabilities, the novel explores how they navigate the world, conflicts, and shifting youth relationships just like any other. 

Anna Sortino, the author of the novel, is a Young Adult author whose work primarily centers on themes of identity, relationships, and self-discovery during youth. She features diverse characters throughout her work, and seamlessly weaves elements like disability into the characters’ lives, plot, and emotional landscapes. 

Ultimately, her stories help to broaden the readers’ perspectives and empower adolescents who are facing conflicts similar to those experienced by the very characters in her novels.