2015 Newberry Award Honor Book
Cece was a normal four year old kid. She liked to watch TV, sing, listen to music, and play with her brother and sister. Then one day she got sick. Really sick. Her parents rushed her to the hospital where she was diagnosed with meningitis which eventually caused her to lose her hearing. Now Cece is having to learn things all over again. Things like talking and listening, this time with the help of a huge hearing aid that hangs around her neck. Cece has trouble hearing and now she looks different from everyone too. Eventually Cece makes a few new friends, but not all of them are great. Some are bossy and some yell at her and refer to her as "their deaf friend". But bad friends are better than good friends? Maybe not. That's when Cece creates "El Deafo", her super hero alternate identity that can say whatever Cece is thinking and has bionic hearing that helps others. With the help of El Deafo, Cece finds that true friendship is worth fighting for and that liking yourself is the real super power.
Based on her real life experiences, author Cece Bell shows readers what it feels like to suddenly be different and to be suddenly treated differently. This graphic novel teachers us about dealing with disabilities and how the way we treat those with disabilities makes them feel. This is an excellent lesson in over coming obstacles and learning self acceptance. Readers who enjoyed El Deafo and would like to read more books with similar themes should try Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Out of my mind by Sharon Draper.
Below is a short video of author Cece Bell talking a little about her real life experiences as well as her book El Deafo.
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