El Deafo by Cece Bell (Abrams, Sept 2014, for ages 8 to 12)
Source: Aaron's Books
Regardless of whether or not it wins an award today (Schneider Family Award, maybe?), I wholeheartedly recommend El Deafo by Cece Bell. My writer friend Ilene Wong (who writes as I.W. Gregorio and whose groundbreaking YA debut novel None of the Above pubs on April 7th!) suggested Cece Bell's graphic novel to me when we were browsing at Aaron's Books in Lititz, PA (such a fun bookstore). I'm so glad she did because I really loved this book.
I have to admit, at first I put off reading it because the artwork didn't really appeal to me (yes, the characters are all rabbits), but when I finally sat down and started reading, I couldn't stop. El Deafo is actually a powerful memoir in graphic novel form. Touching and warm and always very funny, the book shows us Cece's life as a kid with hearing loss who's just trying to get along in a hearing world. She learns to lip-read, aided by her Phonic Ear. It's the Phonic Ear that turns Cece into a superhero, when it proves to be so powerful she can hear what the teachers are saying in the teacher's lounge. A terrific book for any kid who ever worried about being different.
What books about disabilities have you read?
So cool! This book just got a Newbery honor!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up on this one and its award. Can't wait to find a copy of this book. With the cover I may have passed it up so I appreciate your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteGreg, this is clearly a case of "don't judge a book by its cover." If the artwork doesn't appeal to people, I'm afraid they won't pick it up. But the story's great. And I suspect kids would love the artwork.
DeleteI was so excited to see this one got an honor this morning. I just got this from the library, but haven't got a chance to read it yet, because my son hijacked it and has read it twice. I'm really looking forward to this one. I'm so glad books about kids with disabilities and diverse books won awards this year.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your son loved it so much he had to read it twice! And yes, the ALA really went for diversity this year. Yay!
DeleteYay for the Newbery honor for El Deafo--and also Andrea Mack's featuring it on her blog today!! Serendipity.
ReplyDeleteOf course, there's WONDER--and also Sharon Draper's OUT OF MY MIND, where the MC has a razor sharp mind while being unable to walk or talk. Incredible how Draper pulls that off!
I saw Andrea Mack's review too, Michael. More love for EL DEAFO is a wonderful thing. I still need to read OUT OF MY MIND. Great suggestion. Thanks!
DeleteSo cool that we posted on this amazing book on the same day. You definitely need to read Out of My Mind. You'll like it!
DeleteI do have El Deafo on my radar and hope ot get to it soon. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it, Rosi.
DeleteHope you enjoy it, Rosi.
DeleteAwesome that this got a Newberry Honor. It sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty awesome, Natalie. I thought it might win something, but not necessarily a Newbery honor.
DeleteSomehow I had missed the fact that this is a graphic novel. Makes me even more interested in picking it up.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim. I rarely read graphic novels, so you know if I recommend this one, it must be good.
DeleteI saw this on the winners list today! It looks and sounds great! I loved hearing your thoughts. I enjoy a good graphic novel. :)
ReplyDeleteI have read Out of My Mind, Rules, Anything But Typical, Mockingbird, Wonder, The London Eye Mystery, and probably some others about disabilities. I love seeing things from another perspective!
~Jess
El Deafo was awesome! Aaron's Books IS awesome! :D
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