EL DEAFO Book Review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bell, Cece. El Deafo. Ill. by David Lasky. New York: Abrams, 2014. ISBN 978-1-4197-1217-3

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In this graphic novel memoir, author Cece Bell describes how she was perceived as “normal” until she became ill with meningitis and lost her hearing at a young age. The story reaches new heights when she enters school and must wear a bulky hearing device. The novel develops beyond being a story about hearing loss and being different from peers, but rather the human need to be accepted in spite of and because of our diversity.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Bell delivers an illuminating and inspiring story of herself, characterized by the protagonist, Cece personified as a rabbit. Rabbits have excellent hearing which is an interesting hint at Cece’s hearing loss. Told from Cece’s perspective, the author sequences the story through her elementary school years as she adjusts to living in a hearing world. As the story emerges, Cece feels at ease at the school for the deaf, “Everyone is just like me!” When she attends regular school with non-deaf students, she faces many anxieties from looking unusual to being treated differently by her classmates. At a sleepover the girls are giggling and talking but Cece cannot hear them and becomes self-conscious that they are talking about her, exclaiming, “I hate this! Are they talking about me? Are they laughing at me?” They do not understand how her deafness affects her communication with them, and she feels trapped in a “bubble of loneliness.”

Each school year is another step with Cece trying to find friends that do not perceive her hearing problem as a disability. Bell develops Cece into a likeable, humorous character enticing the reader to cheer for her success in building real friendships. Using her “Phonic Ear” (a hearing device with a microphone) she promotes an alter ego, ‘El Deafo’ who possesses superpowers by being able to hear everything. At the climax of the story, Cece makes new friends and uses her “Phonic Ear” to execute the class plan listening for the teacher. As her friend says to her, “That was so cool! How come you never told me you could do that? Mike told me to tell you that he was right! You’re a hero!” Cece comes full circle as she realizes her difference is an asset, and she does not have to feel lonely or different from others, “Of courses I’m a hero - I am El Deafo!”

The graphic novel medium illustrates Cece’s quandary with the obviously bulky hearing aids and wires. The “Phonic Ear” is shown as a full page diagram demonstrating how noticeable the device was to wear and probably uncomfortable, too. The graphics are in full, vivid color panels broadcasting Cece’s impressions, point of view and responses to events as she tries to fit in. The text bubbles illustrate how Cece hears others in conversations or actors on television. Fading fonts, empty text bubbles, muddled texts, and large fonts assist readers in realizing how life changing hearing loss can be in a largely hearing world. These features illuminate to the reader the difficulty Cece has when trying to hear and comprehend others.

The theme throughout is surrounded by the desire to fit in and how friendships can allow us to have an understanding of ourselves and others by embracing our similarities and differences and cultivating this enriched outlook. The reader will connect with Cece’s wishes to develop true friendships as they have similar issues each year going to a new grade with new classmates. In addition, El Deafo brings the reader closer to realizing how tough communication can be for the hearing impaired, and the humor the Deaf community uses to manage uncomfortable situations with not only people but the mechanics of the hearing devices. This Newbery Medal honor book and American Library Association Notable Books for Children winner is for children but adults will also become more aware of the Deaf community or Deaf culture.

Bell explains in the author’s note and acknowledgements about members of the Deaf community and how deaf individuals choose different ways of handling their deafness and how they feel about being deaf. She explains that members of the Deaf community or Deaf culture view their deafness as a difference not a disability. Some of the characters are based on Bell’s childhood and her experience with becoming deaf. Bell made great strides in accepting her own deafness and how to recount this to others in El Deafo. As she stated, “Our differences are our superpowers.”

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booksense Bestseller list

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association Bestseller list

Newbery Medal Nominee 2015

American Library Association Notable Books for Children Winner 2015

Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year Winner 2014

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books Winner 2014

Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Nominee 2015

North Carolina Children's Book Award Nominee 2016

Volunteer State Book Award Nominee 2016

Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin) Nominee 2016

Beehive Children's Fictional Book Award Nominee 2015

Maryland Children's Book Award Nominee 2015

Great Lakes Great Books Award Nominee 2015

Sequoyah Book Award Nominee 2017

“This memoir is thus exceptionally informative and entertaining in relation to some aspects of deaf communication, but, most centrally and powerfully, it is exceptional for its perceptive, indomitable protagonist and complex story of friendship, growth, and classroom and family dynamics.”-- Horn Book Magazine, December 30, 2014

“Bell's bold and blocky full-color cartoons perfectly complement her childhood stories she often struggles to fit in and sometimes experiences bullying, but the cheerful illustrations promise a sunny future. This empowering autobiographical story belongs right next to Raina Telgemeier's Smile (2011) and Liz Prince's Tomboy.”-- Booklist, August 01, 2014

“This warmly and humorously illustrated full-color graphic novel set in the suburban '70s has all the gripping characters and inflated melodrama of late childhood: a crush on a neighborhood boy, the bossy friend, the too-sensitive-to-her-Deafness friend, and the perfect friend, scared away. Included is an honest and revealing afterword, which addresses the author's early decision not to learn ASL, her more mature appreciation for the language, and her adage that, "Our differences are our superpowers."-- School Library Journal, September 01, 2014

5. CONNECTIONS

Introduce students to the author at https://cecebell.wordpress.com/

Read other books by Cece Bell such as, Bee-Wigged and Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover.

Have students represent themselves as an animal. Which animal would it be and why? Have the students draw a picture of themselves as this animal. Ask: If you had to represent the entire human race as an animal, which animal would you select and why?

Ask students that if they could pick any superpower, what would you pick and why? Ask students how would they use this superpower? Bell calls herself “El Deafo” and has designed a costume for herself. Ask: What would be your superhero’s name? Design a costume for yourself.

Have students read how Cece Bell developed the book at https://cecebell.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/el-deafo-extras-from-outline-to-finished-product/.

Have students research various technologies and how they have changed since 1970. Ask students what changes do they believe will be developed for some of the technologies we use today?

Have students compare learning Braille to learning American Sign Language. Ask students if they believe this is comparable to learning a new language. Ask: Why or why not and explain.

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