Reviews - El Deafo: Superpowered Edition

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El Deafo: Superpowered Edition

Huge applause for El Deafo. The story could have been so intense and depressing, but the author made it interesting and appropriate for younger readers. El Deafo is the fictionalized autobiography of Cece Bell, who lost her hearing at age 4. The graphic novel begins with Cece's illness that caused her deafness, and then follows her through her elementary school years. During that time, she struggles to find friends who treat her normally, but she also discovers the "superhero" power her hearing aid gives her and uses it to her advantage. After several years, Cece finally feels accepted and comfortable with who she is.

I read El Deafo with my Teen Book Club, and all the teens admitted that the book changed the way they will act around people with hearing aids, and also the way that they think of them. *Happy dance* That's exactly what we hope books do!

Just a side story about this book that I have to share: while discussing the book in Teen Book Club, the teens (who admittedly are a little older than the intended audience for this book) were discussing the use of rabbits as characters instead of humans. They questioned why it was done, and they offered up several solid explanations. But then, a 6th grader--one of the younger attendees--blew me away. She said, "I think the author used rabbits because of their ears. The story is all about hearing or not being able to hear, and the rabbits show that with their ears." *Mind blown* AND *Proud librarian moment*