All He Knew, written by Helen Frost. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2020. $24.50 ages 12 and up

"Mama knits a sweater,
   two pairs of mittens,
     and a stocking cap.
Molly helps her make a fruitcake.
   Papa decides that he will buy
       a sack of peppermints.

Molly draws more pictures
   for them to take to Riverview:
       Snowball's three kittens,
the bonfire they had on Halloween,
   and another picture of their table  ... "

In this verse novel set in the 1930s and 40s, readers meet Henry and his family: his mother, his father, his older sister Molly. On the Christmas Eve when he was four and a half years old, Henry developed a high fever. As a result, Henry lost his hearing. 

"Henry could see that people's mouths were moving,
     he could feel his own mouth making words,
          but it sounded to Henry like everyone
was speaking
     from another room
        with the door closed.

That was when Henry and his family
     found out
            that Henry couldn't hear."

Once Henry was old enough for school, problems arose. A school for the deaf was suggested, meaning Henry would have to leave home to attend. When a test there determined Henry to be 'unteachable', an even more difficult decision had the family taking to him to Riverview Home for the Feebleminded. Henry and the two special friends he has there find ways to be together, and to help each other through living in that bleak setting and the abusive treatment they must endure.

Then readers meet Victor. He is a WWII conscientious objector. Because he will not fight in the war, he is sent to Riverview to do community service. Things begin to change for Henry and the other boys. As more of the men who have been in charge leave to fight in the war, Victor has more control over what is happening with the boys in his care. Victor recognizes Henry's intelligence, and eventually works with Henry's family to have him return home.

Told from two points of view, this poignant story has Molly sharing her brother's story, while Henry describes the endless days of confinement in a place he does not want to be. Based on a family story from WWII, an author's note explains the inspiration for telling it and includes poems written at the time. It is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and will leave readers more aware of a time in history that is rarely discussed.