Cece Bell’s Newbery Honor book El Deafo relates the story of the author’s own struggles to adapt and fit in when she lost her hearing to meningitis at a young age.
The book casts Cece and her family as rabbits, and the kid-friendly graphics and language make them, if anything, even more relatable. The book is rated 5/5 stars and right now (as of 5/27/15) it’s discounted to $6.50. From Amazon:
Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers!
In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear—sometimes things she shouldn’t—but also isolates her from her classmates.
She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.
El Deafo is a terrific read for kids and adults alike, whether to help them cope with social and physical challenges of their own, or to better relate to others who are facing those challenges.
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