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lily_kruse's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Vomit
linguaphile412's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
kelly_e's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
Title: El Deafo
Author: Cece Bell
Genre: Graphic Novel Memoir
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: September 2, 2014
T H R E E • W O R D S
Lighthearted • Informative • Meaningful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
El Deafo tells the story of a young girl, Cece, who loses her hearing after a bout with meningitis, and her journey to fit in and make friends while being visibly different than her classmates.
💭 T H O U G H T S
What a fun and important book that is both informative and real from own voice author, Cece Bell. She has captured the essence of stepping back in time to what it is like being a fourth grader, and what it is like to be different, as she has lived the experience herself. In essence, the vibrant illustrations add to the reading journey, making this such an endearing read. It explores themes of friendship, acceptance, bullying, and differences. I definitely appreciated the author's note at the back explaining that this is one story, and how it doesn't represent every person who has a hearing impairment.
Overall, this is a highly relatable story for many kids, which can help broaden their perspective and understanding of those living with hearing impairment. Highly recommend for all ages.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all kids!
• fans of Wonder
• readers in search of a heart-warming story
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Our differences are our superpowers."
Author: Cece Bell
Genre: Graphic Novel Memoir
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: September 2, 2014
T H R E E • W O R D S
Lighthearted • Informative • Meaningful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
El Deafo tells the story of a young girl, Cece, who loses her hearing after a bout with meningitis, and her journey to fit in and make friends while being visibly different than her classmates.
💭 T H O U G H T S
What a fun and important book that is both informative and real from own voice author, Cece Bell. She has captured the essence of stepping back in time to what it is like being a fourth grader, and what it is like to be different, as she has lived the experience herself. In essence, the vibrant illustrations add to the reading journey, making this such an endearing read. It explores themes of friendship, acceptance, bullying, and differences. I definitely appreciated the author's note at the back explaining that this is one story, and how it doesn't represent every person who has a hearing impairment.
Overall, this is a highly relatable story for many kids, which can help broaden their perspective and understanding of those living with hearing impairment. Highly recommend for all ages.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all kids!
• fans of Wonder
• readers in search of a heart-warming story
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Our differences are our superpowers."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Blood and Vomit
maricasement's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I read this with my student. It's a lovely memoir that shows a view of deafness that I haven't seen much of, personally.
Cece is a sweet girl who is trying to not be defined or judged by her deafness. She struggles with friendships and expressing her thoughts and opinions, but eventually finds people who like and respect her and who don't reduce her to "the deaf friend".
One of the things that frustrates Cece the most is how visible her hearing aids are. But having them also grants her "superpowers" since they come with a microfone that her teacher wears to help her accompany the classes. There are many scenes in which Cece imagines herself as a superhero (El Deafo) conquering all the things that trouble her.
I'm very grateful that my student is able to read a story like this one. It is directed toward slightly younger children, but she can still relate to a lot of it. She isn't deaf, but she is struggling with communicating in English. She also loves graphic novels, superheroes and funny stories, so I am glad she can read this and see herself in it, even if she can't understand everything.
Cece is a sweet girl who is trying to not be defined or judged by her deafness. She struggles with friendships and expressing her thoughts and opinions, but eventually finds people who like and respect her and who don't reduce her to "the deaf friend".
One of the things that frustrates Cece the most is how visible her hearing aids are. But having them also grants her "superpowers" since they come with a microfone that her teacher wears to help her accompany the classes. There are many scenes in which Cece imagines herself as a superhero (El Deafo) conquering all the things that trouble her.
I'm very grateful that my student is able to read a story like this one. It is directed toward slightly younger children, but she can still relate to a lot of it. She isn't deaf, but she is struggling with communicating in English. She also loves graphic novels, superheroes and funny stories, so I am glad she can read this and see herself in it, even if she can't understand everything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Ableism
Moderate: Vomit
bookishlybecca's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Ableism, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
linesiunderline's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
It’s rare for me to read a book that feels important and fun at the same time. Often I find that the books that fall into the “important reads” category might also be difficult reads or heavier reads. And trust me, those books are some of my favourite reading experiences ever, so I’m not saying one is better than the other. But reading El Deafo made me think about how it is far less common for me to read an important and funny book.
Cleve Bell’s graphic memoir is just about pitch perfect. It’s not a book that is preachy or heavy handed. It’s like stepping back in time into the real, messy, ordinary / extraordinary life of a girl who is all kinds of things - creative, smart, lonely, funny, curious and deaf. It’s pretty impressive how Bell succeeds in capturing what it’s like to be in fourth grade - all of the usual preoccupations and enthusiasms that come with being that age, as well as the particular ones for a child who is deaf in a school full of children and adults who aren’t.
This memoir is informative, humorous, warm, and oh so real. I loved it. I’d give it to just about any kid and feel like they could recognize aspects of their own experience while potentially broadening their understanding of different ways of being in the world. It’s stellar.
Cleve Bell’s graphic memoir is just about pitch perfect. It’s not a book that is preachy or heavy handed. It’s like stepping back in time into the real, messy, ordinary / extraordinary life of a girl who is all kinds of things - creative, smart, lonely, funny, curious and deaf. It’s pretty impressive how Bell succeeds in capturing what it’s like to be in fourth grade - all of the usual preoccupations and enthusiasms that come with being that age, as well as the particular ones for a child who is deaf in a school full of children and adults who aren’t.
This memoir is informative, humorous, warm, and oh so real. I loved it. I’d give it to just about any kid and feel like they could recognize aspects of their own experience while potentially broadening their understanding of different ways of being in the world. It’s stellar.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Medical content
pinkberryoasis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Ableism
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