El Deafo
by Cece Bell
Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction
Recommended for readers 4th grade and up
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Have you walked around with your eyes closed to see how it would feel to be blind? Think about what it might be like to be deaf. What would you miss hearing? Music? Television shows? Voices of family, friends, teachers? Take a look at El Deafo by Cece Bell. In this graphic novel, the author/artist tells the story of how she became deaf as a little girl, and struggled with her loss of hearing. You will go through this experience along with Cece, and understand what it was like for her to deal with a hearing aid in school, make new friends, and feel like an outsider even with her family. The struggles that Cece faced, and overcame, as she adapted to her new situation will inspire you.
If you liked Raina Telgemeiers’ Smile and Drama, you will also like El Deafo.
Other stories that put you in someone else’s shoes: Wonder by R. J. Palacio; Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper; Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Reviewed by Anne Kunzen, Youth Services Staff
