Celebrating National Library Week with Author and ASL Interpreter Kelly Brakenhoff 

In honor of National Library Week (April 6–11), Deaf Services Unlimited (DSU) connected with author and ASL interpreter Kelly Brakenhoff to talk about storytelling, representation, and the power of libraries. As both a seasoned interpreter and a prolific writer, Kelly has built a career centered on language—spoken, signed, and written. With 17 published books and more on the way, she continues to create stories that entertain while building bridges between Deaf and hearing communities. 

Kelly splits her creative energy between two distinct but connected series: cozy campus mysteries and children’s books celebrating ASL and Deaf culture. Whether she’s crafting a clever whodunit or introducing young readers to their first ASL signs, her mission is the same—make language accessible, meaningful, and human. 

A Lifelong Love of Language 

“I’ve loved writing my whole life,” Kelly shares. She majored in English in college without realizing at the time how perfectly that path would prepare her for a career in American Sign Language interpreting. “Language has always been at the center of my world.” 

Her first novel, Death by Dissertation, was published in 2019. Set on a quirky Nebraska college campus, the book blends humor and suspense with authentic Deaf representation. Kelly describes it as “Knives Out or Murder, She Wrote with academic chaos”—complete with a Hawaiian-born sleuth and Deaf characters who sign. 

Since then, she has written 17 books across two series, balancing adult mysteries with children’s literature that introduces ASL and celebrates Deaf identity. 

Two Series, One Mission 

Kelly’s adult fiction centers on the Cassandra Sato Mystery series. These PG-rated mysteries unfold on a small college campus in Nebraska and combine humor, intrigue, and everyday Deaf experiences. Though technically adult fiction, the series has found readers as young as twelve. 

Readers frequently comment on how much they enjoy learning about Deaf students and professors navigating campus life. Exposure to authentic Deaf characters in everyday settings makes future interactions feel natural rather than intimidating. That subtle education—wrapped in an engaging mystery—creates lasting impact. 

Her children’s books, however, are where many families first meet Duke. 

The Duke the Deaf Dog series, written for ages 3–10, introduces American Sign Language and Deaf culture in playful, accessible ways. The picture books are ideal for classrooms and library story times, while newer chapter books explore deeper themes like belonging, identity, and self-advocacy. 

Award-Winning Stories That Build Belonging 

In 2025, two of Kelly’s Duke chapter books were selected for the Children’s Book Council Favorites Award Lists, an honor made even more meaningful because teachers and librarians nationwide voted for them. 

I Belong Here received the Teacher Favorite Award (Grades 3–5). The story explores friendship, big feelings, and finding your place. As Kelly explains, “Being different isn’t the problem. Feeling left out is.” The book helps children understand that belonging begins with self-acceptance and pride. 

IEPs R4U and Me received the Librarian Favorite Award (Grades 3–5). Through Duke’s experiences, young readers learn about IEPs, classroom challenges, and how to advocate for their needs. It’s a practical, empowering story that breaks down complex educational processes in ways children can understand. 

These awards reflect not only literary excellence but also the demand for stories that center Deaf experiences with authenticity and respect. 

The Dream That Started It All 

A year after publishing her first mystery, Kelly dreamed about a deaf dog. When she woke up, she began researching and quickly realized there was a significant gap in children’s literature authentically representing Deaf experiences. That spark became Duke. 

Each Duke story grows from real-life moments. One humorous example? A coworker who didn’t realize that a certain bodily function made a sound. That relatable moment inspired one of Duke’s funniest books, proving that humor can be both universal and educational. 

But while the books are playful and heartfelt, they are also carefully constructed. Kelly collaborates closely with Deaf educators, ASL professors, and families to ensure accuracy and respect. Deaf children are the heroes of these stories. Hearing children learn alongside them. 

The Unique Challenge of Writing About ASL 

Writing about ASL presents specific challenges. ASL is a visual language; it cannot simply be translated word-for-word into English text. 

Kelly addresses this by including ASL vocabulary, visual storytelling elements, and educational back matter in every Duke book. She also partners with Amy Willman, a Deaf university instructor, who demonstrates the featured signs and performs full ASL story readings for the picture books. These companion videos are available for free online, allowing families and educators to learn alongside their children. 

The goal is not just representation on the page, it’s real-world accessibility. 

“The books are designed to be educational,” Kelly says, “but still fun enough for kids to ask for them at bedtime.” That balance is intentional. Learning should feel natural, not forced. 

The Work Behind the Stories 

For Kelly, writing the story itself is the easiest part. Publishing, on the other hand, requires editing, formatting, marketing, distribution, school outreach, and platform building. 

“It’s joyful work—but it is work,” she says. 

Building something sustainable takes time and persistence. Meaningful stories don’t happen overnight, and neither does creating a lasting impact in children’s literature. 

The Rewards of Representation 

The greatest reward, Kelly says, comes from reader feedback. 

When a parent writes, “This helped my child feel seen,” the work feels worthwhile. When a Deaf adult says, “That’s exactly what it’s like—thank you for explaining it to hearing people,” it affirms that the stories are doing what they were meant to do. 

Representation isn’t abstract. It’s deeply personal. 

For Deaf children, seeing characters who sign, advocate for themselves, and succeed reinforces that their experiences are normal and valuable. For siblings of Deaf children and CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), the stories validate unique family dynamics. For hearing children, early exposure builds empathy and confidence. 

Kelly reflects that she never would have become an interpreter had she not been exposed to ASL as a teenager. That early experience shaped her entire career. She hopes her books provide similar moments of discovery for today’s readers. 

“These aren’t just cute stories with a few signs added in,” she says. “They’re built with real collaboration from Deaf educators and families, along with decades of lived experience.” 

And yes—there’s still room for laughter. If readers learn a few signs, giggle about a funny moment, and walk away with more empathy, that’s a successful day. 

Libraries: Where Possibility Lives 

National Library Week is the perfect time to celebrate stories like Duke’s, and the spaces that make them accessible. 

“Writers are readers first,” Kelly says. As a child, she spent hours at the library after school, devouring books and believing librarians were superheroes because they always knew where everything lived. The library felt like possibility. 

When her own children were young, she continued the tradition through summer reading programs and those unforgettable personal pan pizza rewards. Libraries were places where curiosity expanded and imagination stretched. 

“Libraries are more than cool wooden shelving,” she says. “They’re safe places to discover new ideas, new cultures, and sometimes even your future career.” 

For families exploring ASL and Deaf culture for the first time, libraries offer a welcoming starting point. Access to inclusive literature ensures that every child can see themselves, and others, on the shelves. 

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Q&A 

1. Who is Kelly Brakenhoff and what is the Duke the Deaf Dog series about? 
Kelly Brakenhoff is an ASL interpreter and author who writes children’s books and cozy mysteries featuring authentic Deaf representation. Her Duke the Deaf Dog series introduces young readers to American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture through engaging, age-appropriate stories that promote empathy, inclusion, and self-advocacy. 

2. What are the best children’s books for learning about ASL and Deaf culture? 
The Duke the Deaf Dog series is a highly recommended option for children ages 3–10. These books teach basic ASL vocabulary, highlight Deaf experiences, and include educational back matter and resources for families and classrooms. 

3. Why is representation of Deaf characters important in children’s literature? 
Representation helps Deaf children feel seen and valued while also teaching hearing children empathy and awareness. Books with Deaf characters normalize signing, promote inclusion, and reduce communication barriers from an early age. 

4. Are there award-winning books that teach children about IEPs and self-advocacy? 
Yes. IEPs R4U and Me from the Duke the Deaf Dog series received recognition from the Children’s Book Council. It helps children understand Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and encourages self-advocacy in a relatable, empowering way. 

5. How can parents and teachers introduce ASL to young children? 
Parents and educators can introduce ASL through story time, visual vocabulary books, and interactive sign language videos. Children’s books like Duke the Deaf Dog provide built-in ASL instruction, discussion prompts, and activities that make learning both accessible and fun.