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El Deafo by Cece Bell
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El Deafo (edition 2014)

by Cece Bell (Author)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
2,9133554,769 (4.34)133
I loved this book. I think this is a great book for students to read. I feel like they can learn a lot of being deaf and all the misconceptions that individuals think about being deaf. This book will greatly benefit students and anyone who reads it. Great book!
  MarlenePreciado | Feb 10, 2022 |
Showing 1-25 of 354 (next | show all)
I read this immediately after I read True Biz which is a book I loved. I think I would have enjoyed this book even more than I did if I hadn’t just read that book. I couldn’t help but compare even though they are very different books. I probably would have also enjoyed this book even more if I’d read the author’s note in the back before I read the book.

The author’s note in the back of the book is great. I appreciate her for saying that she can tell only her story and that every deaf person has their own experience and I respect that but It was such a different perspective from the author of the book True Biz that I struggled with what this author experienced. I did love how her mother tried to enroll her in ASL classes when she was young but she did not want to learn sign language. She used two different kinds of hearing aids (the Phonic Ear and more traditional hearing aids) as a child and learned to lip read. In the author’s note she says she feels comfortable in the hearing world (her entire family is hearing) even though as an adult she’s come to appreciate sign language. I don’t know if she uses sign though or how much she might use it. She was hearing until an illness at age 4 damaged her hearing. The school she first attended for just a brief time was a school for deaf children but they were not taught sign; lip reading was taught. After that she was always in mainstream school. She was able to hear her teacher with the Phonic Ear when the teacher was wearing its companion device. She had to try to lip read to communicate with everyone else.

Her resistance to learning and using sign language had to do with not wanting to look different and be the center of attention for that reason. That makes sense since most kids hate feeling different.

This is a well done story about elementary school friendships and their problems and sometimes their joys.

I got a kick reading about her particular superpower and can see why it would have made her popular with other children. Great fun!

Lovely photo of the author as a young girl in the back of the book! She was adorable.

This is a good graphic autobiography. The delightful illustrations are perfect for helping to tell this story! The book has humor and there is a lot of poignancy. It’s very touching. She seems to clearly remember her childhood years and what it felt like to be a child.

It’s well done. I really liked it. As I said, I do wish I’d read the author’s note or details about the author’s life before I read the book but I’m glad the “a note from the author” and the “acknowledgments” were included as they were interesting and they helped me better understand her life and the story that she told. The text info at the end brought my rating up to a solid 4 from maybe 3-2/3.

How funny. I know the Goodreads count is off on my shelves including, I assume, my read shelf and my reviewed shelf, but I see that this book is counted as the 5,000th book I’ve marked as read. ( )
  Lisa2013 | Feb 20, 2024 |
Starting a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest. At her old school, everyone in Cece's class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends. Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in the school -- in the hallway ... in the teacher's lounge ... in the bathroom! This is power, maybe even superpower. Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, listener for all. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it's just another way of feeling different ... and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?
  Lake_Oswego_UCC | Jan 23, 2024 |
I really loved this graphic novel. It was inspired by a true story and shows but the typical issues school like friends and family and how complicated all that is. But the heart of this novel, is here dealing with being deaf and how the effects her whole life school, friends and family. I thought this book ahd a fun take a on the superhero elements, it was super quick emotional read and one that reminded me of a my own learning issues, it was book that made me smile and cry!! ( )
  lmauro123 | Dec 28, 2023 |
I really loved this graphic novel. It was inspired by a true story and shows but the typical issues school like friends and family and how complicated all that is. But the heart of this novel, is here dealing with being deaf and how the effects her whole life school, friends and family. I thought this book ahd a fun take a on the superhero elements, it was super quick emotional read and one that reminded me of a my own learning issues, it was book that made me smile and cry!! ( )
  lmauro123 | Dec 28, 2023 |
This is a wonderful book! It really captures the true essence of a child and what it is like to become deaf (from the author's perspective). You really can tell that the author sent out an important message and it was received: that all children, no matter their abilities, are human and want to be accepted; they have feelings and what one would call "normal" thoughts just like anyone else. ( )
  Sharquin | Sep 13, 2023 |
Super cute! A lovely inclusive, own voices read. ( )
  beckyrenner | Aug 3, 2023 |
A heartwarming graphic novel written and illustrated by the same person. The book tells the loose autobiographical story of Cece's childhood experience as she navigates the challenges of growing up with a hearing impairment, utilizing a powerful hearing aid she calls the "Phonic Ear." Through her alter ego, El Deafo, Cece finds strength, friendship, and self-acceptance. This touching and insightful work has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Newbery Honor award in 2015. ( )
  rebecamp | Jul 26, 2023 |
I finally read this book--and ever so glad that I did. I am excited to be able to recommend a graphic novel that has disability representation (and I am HERE for it). The friendship struggles are relatable to anyone who deals with people (so. note. everyone).

Finding your inner superhero to deal with some of the challenges life throws at you, using that superhero to help handle responses, I think readers will enjoy that.

I just appreciated this book showcased, and made real, hearing loss. Normalizing is the first step in helping disabilities be taboo no longer! ( )
  msgabbythelibrarian | Jun 11, 2023 |
This book is great for ages 4th grade to 6th grade.
This book is about a deaf girl and the things she has to overcome as a student. A big problem in this book that repeats is that people just assume what is better for her. And then when her phonic ear gets broken she realizes how much she actually needs it and then instead of hiding it she uses it to her advantage.
In my classroom i would use this to teach my students about disabilities and how people overcome the insecurities that come with it ( )
  Laura.Gregory | Apr 26, 2023 |
A fun read that gives readers a perspective into a deaf girl's life, struggles, and friendships. This book is a great one to keep in your 4th/5th grade to middle school aged classes for kids to read and gain an understanding of those who are deaf. ( )
  Jsmith20 | Apr 19, 2023 |
This graphic novel tells the story of the author, Cece bell, as she grew up deaf. This story navigates the young years of Cece through elementary school as she discovers her identity as a friend, a student, a daughter, and a young girl with superpowers. I would use this book for a class read aloud for 5th-6th graders, allowing for students to ultimately make their own comic strips about their own superpowers.
  mhood21 | Apr 18, 2023 |
This was a great book that covered loneliness, disability, and accepting yourself. We see a lot of growth as Cece comes to terms with being deaf and requiring a hearing aid. She struggles with standing out and feeling alone. I think this is a great book to have in a 5th-grade classroom. ( )
  HaliaMclucas | Apr 17, 2023 |
This book is recommended for intermediate students. This book depicts the elementary ages of Cece and the events and difficulties that transpire. In my future classroom, I would use this book to open a discussion for examples of good and bad ways of communicating with different people. ( )
  Noahkunkel | Apr 17, 2023 |
intermediate
A girl named Cece navigates being deaf and dealing with her hearing aids and lots of kinds of friends throughout childhood
I love this book! It's heartwarming, informational, and witty. I'd have this book in a 3-5th grade classroom, then just explain to them that the time period is the 1970's, so it does feature adults smoking, but that's really the only concern I have with it. I love the bits of relatability.
  _kaley.s | Apr 7, 2023 |
This is the first graphic novel I've read. It was a touching story of a girl growing up deaf, feeling different, and learning how to navigate the social world of elementary school. I think it would appeal to any young reader who has struggled with loneliness. ( )
  CarolHicksCase | Mar 12, 2023 |
This book would be good for all grade levels, as a read allowed for k-2 and maybe some lower-level intermediate levels. This book is good representation for disabilities. This book uses pictures and lots of words to showcase the authors story of how when growing up she became deaf and the challenges she faced navigating life. ( )
  Mscott21 | Mar 2, 2023 |
This book could be read by intermediate aged students.
This book is a graphic novel about a young girl that is deaf and how she lives a normal life, but has a disability. She perseveres through challenges that she faces because of her disability and shows her strength.
I would choose to put this book in my classroom because it brings awareness to the deaf community and shows that although people may have a disability, they should still be treated with love and respect.
  Kimmie.Burks | Feb 22, 2023 |
Good for an intermediate age group. It tells the story of a girl navigating school, friendships, and childhood at large as a deaf person. I would definitely have it in my classroom; it's very sweet and relatable while also exposing kids to a disability they might not necessarily be familiar.
  MTollisen | Jan 19, 2023 |
This graphic novel is a great way to educate students on a different way people go through life. I would give this book to students who are in 4th to 6th grade. This book is a great example of the reality of having a physical disability or challenge. I would use this book in the classroom if we were talking about people with different lives or challenges then we have. ( )
  olivia.comstock | Jan 18, 2023 |
Loved this. I really enjoy the memoirs that I've read in graphic novel format. This one was extra fun because the author grew up about the same time I did. I was surprised and delighted to see a reference to "warm fuzzies" and "cold pricklies" toward the end. I don't remember getting to do such a cool activity when we got the lesson in school, though.
The author did a beautiful job conveying what it was like for her to lose her hearing as a child. It was interesting to see the world from Cece's perspective. The story was told with humor and heart, and I highly recommend it. ( )
  Harks | Dec 17, 2022 |
I love a well-done childhood memoir and the artwork is simply charming. ( )
  fionaanne | Nov 28, 2022 |
A brilliant and humorous graphic memoir on what it was like for Bell to grow up deaf. I appreciated how much I learnt about a deaf experience and some basic courtesies I could do when I'm speaking when speaking to anyone: face people directly, don't exaggerate mouth movements nor slow down nor raise volume.

I also appreciated how the common themes of childhood still resonated: feeling like an outsider, navigating friendships, insecurities, crushes. Now compound this with the public misconception of deafness and having to - in Bell's case, involuntarily - physically distinguish yourself (with a Phonic Ear) in public in order to be able to communicate with the speaking and hearing world. Compound this with the symbolism of the rabbits, the beautiful art style, the creativity of using the speech bubbles to visualise the deafness. And the result is a funny, thoughtful, and informative memoir that I can highly recommend to readers of all ages. ( )
  kitzyl | Oct 9, 2022 |
I love this book. More than any other book I've read, El Deafo manages to convey to readers the protagonist's point-of-view and the difficulties they experience. We readers can see exactly what it must have been like for Cece as she discovered she could no longer hear. Bell shows us the silence, her confusion, and her parents' concern leading up to her hearing tests. And by depicting post-hearing aid dialogue the way it sounded to her, instead of writing what people actually said, she illustrates the difficulties she faced understanding the conversations around her... because we readers have just as much trouble deciphering the conversations! Later in the story, Bell does just as good a job depicting the fuzziness of imperfect eyesight and the improvement provided by glasses.

The color scheme is bright and cheery, and the illustrations are absolutely adorable. (They reminded me a bit of the Arthur television show, but better.) Kids will wish they had cute bunny ears like Cece and her friends.

I'm so happy that El Deafo is a book that will be fun, enjoyable, and appealing for both girls and boys. Too many books lately seem to focus too much on readers of one gender, ostracizing the other gender in the process. But Bell proves that stories can successfully have broad appeal and entertainment value. There are superheroes and bathroom humor and shenanigans, sleepovers and friendship drama and a first crush, and, through it all, a funny relatable character just trying to make some friends and hide what makes her "special," a.k.a. "different."

At the end of the day, the message in El Deafo--that what sets you apart from others doesn't have to be a bad thing, it can even make you a SUPERHERO!--is a message we all need to hear, whether we're still kids or not.

Note: I received a digital sample from NetGalley and a full galley from the publisher. ( )
  fernandie | Sep 15, 2022 |
Really enjoyed this one! From a kid-lit class, I had never heard of this Graphic Novel. It is about a young bunny who loses her hearing and all the challenges that go from there: hearing aids, dealing with siblings, sign language, making friends, going to different schools, summer freedom, first love, being unique, being part of the group. Very funny and sweet. Only downside is that it is obviously written by someone my age and seriously references TV shows and songs that I know, but that a young person would probably not. Quick read! ( )
  BarbF410 | May 22, 2022 |
I really enjoyed this book and liked that it was written by someone who lost their hearing. This book is about a girl who loses her hearing after she gets meningitis and her struggles with navigating her world now that she can no longer hear. She struggles with having friendships due to her disability but is able to grow and she had friends at the end of the book. I would recommend this book for older primary or middle school students.
  Makenzie-Thatch | Apr 22, 2022 |
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