Opal & The Secret Code

The Opal story is based on the true story of Opal Fleming and how learning American Sign Language opened a whole new world for her. It shows how her new language helped to bring her out of her dark, lonely world.

It is hoped that this work of historical fiction will be cherished by the Deaf community and add to their true-life-history and help to promote compassion and understanding in classrooms.

Opal’s resilient spirit enabled her to overcome so much in her lifetime. She became a well educated, dignified person loved by so many. For 20 years she was a teacher's aide at the North Carolina School for the Deaf. She died in 2003.

Reviewed by…
Dawn Keathley Audience Development
The Ada News Ada, OK  74820
Well Written and Enjoyed by All Our Readers!
Opal & The Secret Code was a wonderful story.  The children at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf enjoyed it so much.  They could relate to Opal.  They waited for each Tuesday’s issue  for the next chapter with excitement of what came next for Opal.

Reviewed by…
Tracy Tracy Hazen, Media in Education Administrator
The Kansas City Star, The Wichita Eagle, Belleville News Democrat
Lexington Herald-Leader, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Excellent Story!
"Opal & The Secret Code" is an excellent story for all children and was well received by both teachers and students.  The story was made available through the Media in Education online program. One teacher provided the following feedback to a survey question after the story ran online, "The students are interested in getting started writing and learning about others different than them and how to be a friend to those who are different."