About the book: The graphic novel is about a little girl who gets sick at the age of 4 and becomes deaf. The little girl is the author, Cece Bell, and she tells her childhood story through a bunny cartoon. In the beginning her hearing aid hung around her neck and had cords that attached to her ears. Simple conversations could be frustrating because it sounded like being under water. She attended a school for the hearing impaired and started to be able to read lips, and gestures. People did not understand her disability and they would do things they thought were helping, but it only made her feel sad and left out. Over time she upgrades to newer versions of the hearing devices. Her favorite was the Phonic Ear. While wearing it at school the teacher had a microphone. Cece could hear the teacher anywhere in the building. Friendships and relationships are hard for her. She pretends in her head that she is El Deafo who is not a push over. Eventually she starts to use her uniqueness as something powerful that she is proud, learns to over come obstacles.
Readers Response: El Deafo is a Newberry Honor Winner and a Kirkus Prize Finalist. Her feelings about what it was like to grow up with a disability is portrayed in the book. CeCe pretends to be a super hero with super hearing powers, which puts a unique twist on this autobiographical novel. Her character as the bunny brings entertainment to her life story.
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