Picture a Croat American storyteller who weaves tales of war, identity, and the deaf experience with unflinching honesty—meet Sara Nović! A novelist, translator, educator, and deaf rights advocate, Nović has carved a unique space in contemporary literature. Her ability to blend raw emotion with sharp cultural commentary makes her a voice you won’t forget.
Born in 1987, Nović’s journey from a hearing child to a deaf adult shapes her storytelling and activism. Her works, like the acclaimed Girl at War and True Biz, explore resilience and belonging, while her advocacy amplifies deaf voices in a hearing world. Let’s dive into her remarkable story!
The Making of Sara Nović
Sara Nović grew up straddling two worlds: the United States and Croatia. Born hearing, she began losing her hearing in middle school, a pivotal moment that introduced her to the challenges and richness of deaf culture. Initially educated in spoken English, she later embraced American Sign Language (ASL), which became a cornerstone of her identity and work. Her dual heritage and evolving relationship with deafness fueled her passion for storytelling.
Nović’s writing career took off after earning an MFA from Columbia University, where she studied fiction and literary translation. Her experiences navigating the hearing and deaf worlds, coupled with her Croatian roots, inspired her to craft stories that bridge cultural divides. Early on, she founded Redeafined, a platform to advocate for deaf rights, signaling her commitment to both art and activism.
Sara Nović’s Unforgettable Stories
Nović’s debut novel, Girl at War (2015), is a gut-punch of a coming-of-age story. It follows Ana Jurić, a ten-year-old whose life is shattered by the Yugoslav Wars. Moving between 1990s Croatia and 2000s New York, the novel explores trauma, memory, and identity with vivid prose. It won the American Library Association’s Alex Award and was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize, cementing Nović’s place in literary circles.
Her second novel, True Biz (2022), is a vibrant dive into deaf culture. Set at a boarding school for the deaf, it follows Charlie, a teen learning ASL, and her headmistress, February, a hearing child of deaf adults (CODA). The novel tackles language deprivation, cochlear implant debates, and deaf pride with humor and heart. A Reese’s Book Club pick and New York Times bestseller, it’s being adapted for TV with deaf actress Millicent Simmonds.
Nović also penned America Is Immigrants (2019), a nonfiction collection of illustrated biographies celebrating immigrant contributions. Her translations, like Bosnian poet Izet Sarajlić’s work, earned her the 2013 Willis Barnstone Translation Prize. Her style—direct, emotionally raw, and culturally nuanced—mirrors the frankness of ASL, making her stories resonate deeply.
Why Sara Nović Matters
Sara Nović’s impact transcends her books. As a deaf writer, she challenges the scarcity of authentic deaf voices in literature, pushing for representation and dismantling ableist stereotypes. Her advocacy, through op-eds and visits to deaf schools, highlights issues like ASL stigma and inaccessible systems. Teaching at Emerson College and Stockton University, she inspires students to embrace their identities.
Nović’s work bridges the hearing and deaf worlds, inviting readers to rethink language, culture, and resilience. Her stories, rooted in personal and collective histories, remind us that diversity fuels powerful narratives. In a world quick to marginalize, Nović’s voice is a beacon of pride and possibility.
About Sara Nović
- Born: 1987, United States
- Key Works: Girl at War (2015), True Biz (2022), America Is Immigrants (2019)
- Awards: Alex Award (2016), Willis Barnstone Translation Prize (2013), ALTA Travel Fellowship (2014)
- Fun Fact: She’s an executive producer on the TV adaptation of True Biz!
Snag True Biz or Girl at War and dive into Sara Nović’s bold, heartfelt world of stories!