- This article is about the original novel. For the graphic novel, see Jessi's Secret Language (Graphic Novel).
Jessi's Secret Language is the sixteenth book in The Baby-Sitters Club series. Jessi becomes the steady sitter for the Braddocks. Her secret language is sign language! She must learn sign language due to Matt Braddock being profoundly deaf.
Back Cover Summary[]
Jessi knows a secret language! She learned it from Matt Braddock, the BSC's newest charge. Matt's been deaf since birth, and he uses sign language to speak. Since Jessi is Matt's baby-sitter, she has to use sign language, too.
Soon all the kids in Stoneybrook want to learn to sign...which keeps the members of the Baby-sitters Club busy. Jessi's the busiest of all: she's working on another super secret, just for Matt.
Will Jessi be able to keep the secret and pull off her special event? Of course she will—she's a member of the Baby-sitters Club!
Summary[]
Main Plot[]
Jessi babysits for new clients, The Braddocks, who have a nine-year-old daughter, Haley and a seven-year-old son, Matthew, who is profoundly deaf. Jessi learns sign language and helps make Haley and Matt feel welcome in the neighborhood by showing the other kids about Matt's "secret language" and how much fun it is.
Subplot[]
Jessi is having a hard time in her new ballet class. Being the new girl in class, she is given a hard time by two students, Hilary and Katie Beth. Jessi is is given the lead in the ballet school's production of "Coppelia." Later on, Hilary and Katie Beth act nicer towards Jessi.
Jessi also learns that Katie Beth's sister, Adele is deaf, but she and her family don't communicate sign language with her. After learning that Matt has never been to the theater, Jessi comes up with an idea to invite Matt's class to her opening night performance of "Coppelia." During the play, Haley narrates the story while Mrs. Braddock translates it.
Characters[]
Jessi's Family
Extended Family
- Jessi's grandparents
- Keisha
BSC Members
Kids
- Adele Parsons - Katie Beth's deaf sister
- Haley and Matt Braddock
- Charlotte Johanssen
- Jordan, Adam, Byron, Vanessa, Nicky, Margo, and Claire Pike
- Jenny Prezzioso
- Andrew Brewer, Karen Brewer, and David Michael Thomas
Pre-Teens
Teenagers
- Mary Bramstedt
- Lisa Jones
- Keisha
- Carrie Steinfeld - dancer in Jessi's class
- Christopher Gerber - dancer who plays as Franz
Adults
- Mrs. Braddock
- Mr. Braddock
- Madame Noelle
- Mrs. Prezzioso
- Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer
- SMS school secretary
- Ms. Frank - Matt's teacher
- Mr. Braddock (mentioned)
Locations[]
- Ramsey House
- Stamford Ballet School
- Kishi House
- Prezzioso House
- Pike House
- Brewer/Thomas House
- Stamford School of the Deaf
Pop Culture and Real-Life References[]
- Squirrel Nutkin, The Secret Language, The Cat in the Hat, the Witch Next Door, Millions of Cat, Pinky Pye, The Christmas Day Kitten (books)
- The New England Patriots and the Super Bowl
Continuity and Inconsistencies[]
Continuity
- Jessi remembers when Becca met Charlotte from Hello, Mallory on page 55.
- On page 121 Kristy talks about what it was like when she moved into Watson's house.
- There's a reference to the Little Miss Stoneybrook Pageant on page 123.
- This is one of the books where Charlotte Johanssen is mentioned to be in fourth grade.
Inconsistencies
- In a first edition of the book class is spelled as closs on page 99.
- On page 122 its said that Charlotte skipped third grade and went into fourth. In The Truth About Stacey Charlotte skipped second grade and into the third. When everyone went up a grade in Logan Likes Mary Anne! she moved into the fourth grade.
Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter[]
Dear Reader,
When I was growing up, one of my favorite books was The Secret Language by Ursula Nordstrom, about two girls at boarding school who invent a secret language for themselves. I especially loved the title. Later, when I wanted to write this book about American Sign Language, I remembered it and came up with the title Jessi's Secret Language. Although I don’t know much sign language myself, it has always interested me. And after meeting several hearing-impaired BSC fans, I wanted to include a hearing-impaired character in the series, so I created Matt Braddock.
Trivia[]
- Although the book states that Jessi learns American Sign Language, she is using signed English for "I" on the book cover.
- A reprint of the book was released on May 4, 2021 [1]
- Jessi heard Kristy say that she wished she had skin like Claudia's before.
- Jessi mentions that she has to get braces like Mallory
- Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey put money toward Jessi's dance shoes most of the time.
- A man named Mr. Geiger designed the houses on the street the Pike and the Braddock family live on. Jessi notes that they look alike on the inside.
- Becca and Jessi sometimes don't even sit down to have a snack.
- Jessi didn't meet Jenny until this book.
- Matt first signs to the Pikes that he thinks the Patriots would win the super bowl.
- Charlie, Sam, and Kristy go to a Stoneybrook High versus Mercer High basketball game together.
- Jessi's favorite thing to sign is afraid.
- Logan calls during a BSC meeting to talk to Mary Anne.
- Tigger learned how to fetch.
- This is the first book the Braddock Family is introduced in.
- When Kristy baby-sits Becca and Squirt, it’s the first time she's been in that house since Stacey moved out.
- Squirt calls ice cream “ackaminnie.” In Karen’s Newspaper, Lisa tells Karen that she used to call ice cream “ackaminnie.” In Claudia and the World’s Cutest Baby, in the Dear Reader letter Ann M. Martin says she called ice cream “ackaminnie.”
Gallery[]
