Spotlight on Duke’s chapter books
Building Bridges with Duke: A series exploring the deeper lessons of self-advocacy, belonging, and resilience through Duke’s new chapter books.
When I first began writing the Duke the Deaf Dog picture books, my goal was simple: to introduce young children to American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture in a fun, engaging way. 🐾📚 But as Duke grew—and as I finished the picture book series—I realized that his journey was far from over. Duke’s experiences were evolving, just like those of the kids reading his stories. That’s how the new chapter books came to be.
Maybe you’re wondering: why transition from picture books to chapter books? Well, the answer is deeply personal and rooted in years of my work as an ASL interpreter and my experiences in educational settings of all kinds.
Why Chapter Books?
The older Duke gets, the more complex his world becomes. School, sports, friendships, and family life start presenting new challenges, especially for kids who are navigating life with a communication barrier or those who don’t quite fit into one category. These stories couldn’t be told in just a few pages of a picture book—they needed more room to breathe, to explore the realities of being Deaf, and to show the importance of self-advocacy, communication, and inclusion from a second grader’s perspective.
Some of these chapter book topics were inspired by my own experiences, while others came from parents, teachers, and friends who loved the picture books and wanted to see more. For example, one friend suggested exploring what it’s like to play sports while using hearing aids or other technology—a challenge that many kids face, but that we don’t often see in children’s literature. This led to the creation of Take Your Shot, where Duke learns how to communicate on the basketball court, while also embracing his unique strengths.
IEPs: Making the Alphabet Soup Understandable
Another chapter book, IEPs R4U and Me, came straight from my heart, and from years of attending IEP meetings as an interpreter. If you’ve ever been to one of these meetings, you know how overwhelming they can be—especially for parents who are unfamiliar with all the jargon. It’s like diving into a bowl of alphabet soup! All those acronyms and abbreviations can make it hard for parents (let alone students!) to fully understand what’s being discussed, even though the meeting is about helping their child succeed.
As an interpreter, I’ve seen parents struggle with this, and I wanted to give kids (and their parents) a way to understand IEPs in a more approachable way. Through Duke’s perspective, I hope to show that asking for what you need in school isn’t just okay—it’s empowering.
Celebrating Deaf Athletes and Resilience
Another thing that I’m excited about in this chapter book series is celebrating the stories of Deaf athletes. Over the years, I’ve met incredible athletes who don’t let their deafness—or people’s preconceptions about what they can do—stop them from competing. They communicate, they play hard, and they prove that being Deaf isn’t a barrier; it’s just another aspect of who they are.
Through Duke’s journey, I wanted to highlight that no matter how you communicate or what technology you use, you can still achieve amazing things. Technology is a tool—whether it’s a hearing aid, cochlear implant, or something else—but it doesn’t define a person’s worth or abilities. Duke’s story shows that our unique traits are what make us special, and we don’t need to be “fixed” to fit in.
Bridging Two Worlds
For many Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, there’s a sense of living between two worlds—the hearing world and the Deaf world. I’ve met people who, even as adults, still wrestle with their identity and feeling caught between these two communities. It’s something I wanted to explore through Duke’s eyes as he grows up.
Duke, like many folks I’ve worked with, can hear a little bit but not enough to fully participate in large group discussions or noisy family dinners. He’s figuring out where he fits, and part of his journey is learning that while he may not completely belong in either the hearing or Deaf world yet, he can find comfort and understanding in both. There’s a special feeling of safety and home when you’re surrounded by people who share similar experiences—people who just get it. Belonging goes further than simply being included; it’s the deep sense of home that comes from feeling understood without having to explain yourself.
It’s My Story and I Belong Here delve into this idea of identity and self-acceptance. Duke discovers that being Deaf isn’t something to be “fixed”—it’s part of what makes him who he is. Through his experiences, Duke learns that everyone has their own way of communicating and fitting in, and that’s something to be celebrated, not changed.
Changing Perspectives on Deafness
One thing that still bothers me after years of interpreting is the way some people talk about Deafness. Words like “hearing impaired” focus so much on what’s “lacking” or “broken,” (from a hearing-centered viewpoint) rather than on the richness and diversity of visual communication. I don’t call myself “visually impaired” just because I wear reading glasses, right? So why do we do that with hearing differences?
Deafness isn’t something to be fixed, it’s just part of who you are. It’s a different way of experiencing the world, and I hope these chapter books help more kids and families embrace that perspective.
Resources for Parents
Throughout Duke’s journey, I want to provide resources for parents who might be new to the Deaf community or navigating their child’s journey. On my website, I’ll be linking to videos, organizations, and other tools to help parents understand that their child’s way of communicating is valuable and complete.
So, that’s why I wrote these chapter books—out of love, out of my own experiences, and out of a desire to help kids and parents feel seen, understood, and empowered. Duke’s journey may start in second grade, but the lessons he learns about self-advocacy, communication, and belonging will stick with him—and his readers—for life.
I hope you’ll join me as we continue Building Bridges with Duke, one chapter at a time.
Click here to learn more about the new Duke chapter books and how you can order signed copies!
Kelly Brakenhoff is the author of 15 books and a seasoned ASL interpreter. She splits her writing energy between two series: cozy mysteries set on a college campus and children’s books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog.
Parents, kids, and teachers love the children’s books and activity guides because they introduce ASL and the Deaf community through fun, engaging stories. And if you enjoy a smart female sleuth, want to learn more about Deaf culture, or have ever lived in a place where livestock outnumber people, the Cassandra Sato Mystery series will have you connecting the dots faster than a group project coming together the night before it’s due.
A proud mom to four adults, head of the dog-snuggling department, and grandma to a growing brood of perfectly behaved grandkids, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.