Review: El Deafo

Title: El Deafo
Author: Cece Bell
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: Library
Format: ebook
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends. 

Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school–in the hallway…in the teacher’s lounge…in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different… and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?

This funny perceptive graphic novel memoir about growing up hearing impaired is also an unforgettable book about growing up, and all the super and super embarrassing moments along the way.

Review:

This is an amazing book! This book is based on the life of the author, Cece, who lost her hearing as a child due to an illness. Hearing is something that a lot of people take for granted (I know I do) so this book was a huge eye opener. There are many different types of hearing loss, and different ways to cope with it. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. The beginning was sad, because Cece had trouble adjusting to her hearing loss. She felt self conscious about her hearing aids. However, I loved the ending. It was so comforting. I highly recommend this book for kids and adults.

What to read next:

Have you read El Deafo? What did you think of it?