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El Deafo | August 6, 2014

by Cece Bell (Amulet Books/Abrams Books for Young Readers, September 2014)

This remarkable new graphic memoir by Cece Bell stars an eponymous little rabbit that loses her hearing at age four after a severe bout of meningitis. Inspired by the author/illustrator’s own childhood story, the loveable young Cece must learn to deal with the challenges of hearing loss. She starts school with other children who are hearing impaired and learns how to lip-read, but then moves into a mainstream classroom where she is prescribed the Phonic Ear, a type of hearing aid involving a receiver on her chest and a remote microphone worn by the teacher. Feeling bulky and awkward, Cece creates a fantasy alter ego, El Deafo (Bell’s actual secret nickname for herself), and imagines life with hearing superpowers.

What makes the book shine is the loving way the author presents the specific frustrations of hearing loss (like well-meaning friends who speak very slowly in order to compensate) as well as the everyday experiences of growing up (like friendship drama and sleepovers and crushes). Bell successfully demystifies hearing disability, which is definitely an underrepresented theme in children’s literature, and introduces a universally relatable character whose greatest desire is a friend who will like her for exactly who she is. A joyous celebration of being an individual, El Deafo will appeal to all readers.

 

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