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I'm loving these graphic novels that show off struggles in a new light hearted, yet realistic way. I smiled, cringed, and applauded el deafo. And it could totally be a book that my almost 3yo could digest in 20 page increments.
In this graphic memoir where all the characters are portrayed as bunny-people, the main character becomes deaf and has to wear a giant "Sonic Ear" to school. The Sonic Ear is meant to help her hear her instructors in the classroom, but it also gives her the super-hero-like ability to hear the teacher all over the school, including smoking in the teacher's lounge or tinkling in the faculty bathroom. She uses her "super abilities" as "El Deafo" to make friends at school. LOVED this!
Simply wonderful, from text to illos, this graphic novel is not just an engaging and interesting portrait of one girl’s specific experience but a narrative filled with relatable episodes for those of us who grew up in the 1980s. An important story perfectly told.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was my first time diving into a graphic novel and I really enjoyed it! El Deafo follows Cece as she learns about friendship, love, and community. Cece becomes Deaf due to a childhood illness, and while the reader learns about her challenges from her deafness, we also see her learn about life similar to all school-aged girls. This novel reminded me of when my ASL professor told us, “the only thing a Deaf person can’t do is hear.”
This book was amazing! Kids love the graphic novel format. The message is true! Easy enough for even beginning readers but great story for older readers as well. Must have for any school library!
Read Harder 2023 #18: Read a comic or graphic novel that features disability representation..
I thought this was nice! I would recommend it for a grade-school reader.
I thought this was nice! I would recommend it for a grade-school reader.
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Once upon a time, there was a woman who worked here at the library. She had a severe hearing impairment. She used to come back to my desk to ask me questions about library items. One day, I was busy with something so she took her question to my co-worker who was awfully rude to her. After I was finished with what I was doing, I asked the co-worker if he'd been able to help our fellow colleague and he sniped a bit, finishing his rant with, "It's like she doesn't even listen."
I went over to my desk, grabbed my scissors, and returned to him intent on stabbing his entire face off.
(in my mind)
I wish this book would have been available back then because I would have pointedly left it on his desk with a note explaining that perhaps he could learn some compassion for others through reading. Or I would have beaten him about the head and shoulders with the hardcover version. Whatever.
This is a great story, written in a way that makes Cece's journey easy to comprehend and, as a librarian, I appreciate that but it's not what spoke to me as a reader.
Cece is just a little older than I am and I recognized her environment immediately. I had that undershirt with the rosette. I remember seeing teachers wearing the hanging speaker at class assemblies in elementary school. This story threw me back into my own childhood and, somehow, that made the entire story so relatable. That probably won't happen to kids who read this now. They'll find other ways to relate. For me, though, being back in 70's suburban childhood...that was something else.
I went over to my desk, grabbed my scissors, and returned to him intent on stabbing his entire face off.
(in my mind)
I wish this book would have been available back then because I would have pointedly left it on his desk with a note explaining that perhaps he could learn some compassion for others through reading. Or I would have beaten him about the head and shoulders with the hardcover version. Whatever.
This is a great story, written in a way that makes Cece's journey easy to comprehend and, as a librarian, I appreciate that but it's not what spoke to me as a reader.
Cece is just a little older than I am and I recognized her environment immediately. I had that undershirt with the rosette. I remember seeing teachers wearing the hanging speaker at class assemblies in elementary school. This story threw me back into my own childhood and, somehow, that made the entire story so relatable. That probably won't happen to kids who read this now. They'll find other ways to relate. For me, though, being back in 70's suburban childhood...that was something else.
A really enjoyable memoir of childhood deafness - read it as a family and really enjoyed it!
A cute autobiographical graphic novel aimed towards kids about a little girl who loses her hearing. My oldest loved the book, so much cute humor that made him laugh out loud and helps build his empathy for others.