Author Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir shares her story of growing up deaf. At the age of four she contracted meningitis which left her deaf. Being young the changes in her life didn't seem to extreme until Cece began to attend school. Her first year she attended a school for the deaf. Everyone understood her circumstances and she felt comfortable with other kids like her.
The following year her family relocated to an area without a special school so Cece began attending elementary school with hearing students as classmates. In addition to changing schools, Cece was fitted for a device called a Phonic Ear. To use this aid, Cece wore a bulky box connected to her chest by several straps. There were wires that went from the box to special hearing aids in her ears. Her teacher needed to wear a second device around her neck so that when she spoke, Cece could hear. The Phonic Ear worked well, but it made Cece feel uncomfortable when her classmates stared at the cords leading to her ears.
Cece shares the frustrations she encountered making friends. Her first hearing friend was incredibly bossy. The next friend Cece made didn't really understand how to talk to someone who was deaf. She constantly spoke too loudly and slowly. Cece wondered if friendship was worth the aggravation.
It was around this time that Cece started thinking of herself as a superhero. She adopted the name El Deafo and often imagined how she could swoop in a save the day. These thoughts helped when Cece's frustration threatened to get out of control.
Cece Bell with the help of colorist David Lasky will have readers laughing, crying, and cheering for all the heartfelt moments in her young life as a deaf child. The text is flawless and the illustrations are perfect in this graphic novel aimed as middle grade readers or any one interested in learning more about the hearing impaired.
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