El Deafo

Bell, C. ( 2014). El Deafo. New York, NY: Abrams.

Cece Bell is a girl that looses her hearing when she is sick from meningitis at the age of four.  She tells her story of navigating elementary school as the kid with hearing aids.  Cece wears a Phonic Ear, which allows her to hear her teachers in school.  She tells of how she can hear the teachers wherever they are in the school, including the bathroom.  She creates a superhero of herself, "El Deafo" because she has the amazing ability to hear things no one else can.  However, Cece knows that she is different from her classmates and is self-conscience of her differences. She is a lonely little girl who just yearns for a true friend.  In fourth grade, she finally meets Martha who is a true friend to her.

This is a story of acceptance and friendship.  Through her trials through elementary school, all Cece really wants is what every child wants, acceptance and friendship.  Cece's true story of her childhood will show children that we all need and long for a true friend, no matter who we are.  This graphic novel uses humor along the way in this story about Cece Bell's elementary years.