Review: Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo.

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. New York, NY: Amulet Books.

Autobiographical in nature, El Deafo is a graphic memoir of author Cece Bell, in which she, her family, and childhood friends and acquaintances are portrayed as adorable and comedic rabbits.  Both touching and at times cringeworthy, it follows her elementary years in the 1970’s, from the time she becomes deaf due to illness, to beginning kindergarten, all the way through the fifth grade.  During these formative years she makes and loses a number of friends--and some “frenemies”--as she struggles to make the best use of her large and awkward “phonic ear,” maneuver interactions with doctors, teachers and peers, and find one real friend; not to be seen only as “my deaf friend” Cece (90).  Exposed to the slur “deafo” while watching a television program, she comes to think of herself as “El Deafo,” a superhero of sorts, equipped with super hearing, engaged in an ongoing quest to find her true friend and sidekick.

Already a published children’s author, Bell chose to write this, her first graphic novel, when she felt she was finally ready to talk about her deafness.  She chose the graphic format primarily because of the speech bubbles, which allow the reader to see and understand exactly what she heard--or didn’t hear--including garbled, and sometimes disappearing words; additionally, thought bubbles clue the reader in to what she is experiencing, such as the moment she realizes herself, “I can’t hear…” (12).  A Newbery Honor Book and critically acclaimed for its unique and honest viewpoint, yet gracious acknowledgement of various experiences, El Deafo is a story widely embraced across a large span of ages and differing reading preferences.

Through pinkie swears, crushes, embarrassments, childhood injuries and insensitivities, Cece ultimately develops not just the “one true friend” she desires, but a network of friends and support, demonstrating that while every individual’s experiences truly are singular, everyone needs real friends, understanding and encouragement.

Click here to read more: Cece Bell: how I made El Deafo – in pictures