El Deafo

El Deafo

Cece Bell

El Deafo, by Cece Bell, is sweet, fun, and a loving book. Starting a new school is hard enough for anybody, but for Cece, it’s even harder with a hearing aid strapped to her chest. Cece’s sure that everyone’s staring at her all-powerful Phonic Ear hearing aid. At her old school, Cece blended in, everyone else in her class was deaf too. But here, Cece’s different, and she can’t seem to make any friends because of that. But soon, Cece makes a startling discovery. Her Phonic Ear not only helps her hear her teacher in her classroom, but Cece can also here her teacher in the hallway, in the bathroom, and pretty much anywhere in school! This is power, maybe even what you would call a superpower? Cece is on a journey to becoming El Deafo, the Listener for All. But there’s one problem about being a superhero, its just another way to be different. Even with rising power, Cece still feels alone, and without a friend. Can Cece use her superpower to find some new true friends?

El Deafo is a memoir of growing up with impaired hearing. Not only that, it’s also a story about growing up. From embarrassing stories to even MORE embarrassing moments, this book has it all. I loved this story. It’s as simple as that. In a graphic novel form, this story is interesting, fun, and brings humor even in the darkest moments. We meet characters such as pushy friends, clueless peers, and a whole cast of people of all varieties. Its a great book of raising awareness and helping people of all ages understand.

Grade Level:

- Suggested: 3rd-8th

- Advanced: 2nd

- Genre: Realistic-fiction, graphic-novel

- Key Elements: Hearing aid, superhero

- Possible Themes: Everyone is the same

Overall Rating: 5/5

Happy Reading!

-The Book Lover-

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