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So so so so cute and helpful. An excellent story for children and adults.
Before I was reading, I did some research to help me find out if this would be a multicultural specific text to read and I found this article which is an interview with the author that confirmed my thoughts about this book being accurate. The story is really a memior of the author's life. It is what happened to her as she grew up with hearing loss and the experiences that she had with that and what happened to her as a result of the hearing loss. How she sometimes felt alone because she couldn't hear the music or her friends talking when the lights were turned out. The pictures in this story also help give an idea of what Cece experienced being deaf. Sometimes the word bubbles would be left blank, since Cece could not hear what somebody was saying to her. Listed here is the interview article. http://tinyurl.com/eldeafo
I had a text to self connection with this article because I have had a student in my guided reading group that had a cochlear implant (which is similar to the phonic ear the author talks about in this book, just an older version) where I had to use a microphone so that he would be able to hear me in group. I didn't find out till later that he could hear anything I said when I had the microphone around my neck so he probably heard things that weren't meant for him. Then also my girlfriend Jacey is hard of hearing and uses lip reading to help her understand what others are talking about. The tips that Cece talks about are things that Jacey reminds me of. Especially when she is behind me, I will have to turn around so she knows what I am saying. She often becomes overwhelmed in group conversations because she can't follow what is happening so I often have to translate what is being said. We sometimes use sign language to communicate when this happens or if we are not sitting right by each other at the time. Then also Cece talks about the radio and her neighbor trying to be helpful turning it up louder, but it didn't help her which is the same as Jacey telling me not to just speak louder because it doesn't mean that she is going to hear me.
Remembering: Who were the main characters in "El Deafo"?
Understanding: Describe what happened to Cece before she was deaf?
Applying: Using what you know construct a short time line of Cece's life.
Analyzing: Distinguish the differences between Cece and her friend Ginny?
Evaluating: Would you recommend El Deafo to another person? Why or why not?
Creating: Role play the story as Cece. From that experience, what inferences can you draw about Cece?
I had a text to self connection with this article because I have had a student in my guided reading group that had a cochlear implant (which is similar to the phonic ear the author talks about in this book, just an older version) where I had to use a microphone so that he would be able to hear me in group. I didn't find out till later that he could hear anything I said when I had the microphone around my neck so he probably heard things that weren't meant for him. Then also my girlfriend Jacey is hard of hearing and uses lip reading to help her understand what others are talking about. The tips that Cece talks about are things that Jacey reminds me of. Especially when she is behind me, I will have to turn around so she knows what I am saying. She often becomes overwhelmed in group conversations because she can't follow what is happening so I often have to translate what is being said. We sometimes use sign language to communicate when this happens or if we are not sitting right by each other at the time. Then also Cece talks about the radio and her neighbor trying to be helpful turning it up louder, but it didn't help her which is the same as Jacey telling me not to just speak louder because it doesn't mean that she is going to hear me.
Remembering: Who were the main characters in "El Deafo"?
Understanding: Describe what happened to Cece before she was deaf?
Applying: Using what you know construct a short time line of Cece's life.
Analyzing: Distinguish the differences between Cece and her friend Ginny?
Evaluating: Would you recommend El Deafo to another person? Why or why not?
Creating: Role play the story as Cece. From that experience, what inferences can you draw about Cece?
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Cede Bell's graphic novel "El Deafo" if a cross between auto-biography and fiction chronicling her childhood experience with deafness. She was about four years old when a serious illness caused her to be "severely to profoundly" deaf. Bell's states that her book is focuses on her feelings of embarrassment and loneliness as a child due to her deafness, but she adds a twist - she begins to realize that although her deafness makes her different, that can be a good thing. She refers to the benefits of her deafness as her "super powers". The graphic novel format, helps the readers to understand, through the visuals, what Bell's is feeling as she learns to deal with her hearing loss. I like the book. It was nicely done, and will certainly help elementary students develop a better understanding of how people feel and deal both with deafness and perhaps other "disabilities". Being a fifth grade teacher, I felt the language was a little too "baby" and not real enough for me. It does seem to match language often used in the graphic novels that I have read. Overall, I liked the book, in the hands of the right student, if can be very powerful. Did not fall in love with the book.
important messages of inclusion & representation, but a universal theme of loneliness during middle school that everyone can empathize with! an important book for kids & parents to read together
Great graphic novel about the real life experiences of a girl who lost her hearing as a young child. She’s honest, observant and witty. It’s a good choice for young middle schoolers to learn more about another’s experiences.
This heartfelt and charming memoir details four-year-old CeCe’s hearing loss and childhood adapting to being different. In clean lines and clear prose, CeCe shares how she learned to cope with her deafness, the social stigma of her bulky hearing aid, and the challenges of reading lips. The comic format is used perfectly by Bell to convey what it’s like to see but not hear those around you. El Deafo is also the story of Bell forging her own identity, navigating her friendships, and learning to accept the support of her family. Kids with disabilities will be able to relate to the need to develop an identity other than “different,” and other kids will empathize with CeCe’s struggles. A charming and essential comic for young readers.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced