El Deafo

El Deafo

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

CeCe is a 4 year old who is stricken with meningitis. Unfortunately, she loses her hearing and is thrust into the world of silence. Cece starts school. On top of being deaf, she is given the most hideous and out-of-date hearing aid that has to be strapped to her chest. It is not easy to fit in. Things change when she discovers that she can hear her teacher not only in the classroom, but everywhere. She convinces herself that she has super powers. This sends her confidence through the roof. When her classmates discover her secret, she uses it to warn them when the teacher is approaching so they can stop playing around. This definitely ups her popularity. Cece finally finds a true friend in Martha who doesn’t care that she is deaf and treats her no different. She feels accepted and even finds the corage to approach a kid she has a crust on. This friendship eventually grows stronger as time goes by.

El Deaf is about being different and meeting the challenge with dignity no matter what the obstacle. Deafness should not be viewed as a disability but rather as an wonderful gift that should be embraced not pitied or overlooked. This is a wonderful book that should be shared with the children of all ages to encourage and support differences.