Favorite Part: When Cece realizes her superpowers.
Favorite Line: “George, Sabrina, Terry, Wendy, Fred and Jamie: they understand. Because they are just like me.” -Cece (referring to her friends who were hard of hearing)
Takeaway: Our differences make us unique and can give us power, as long as we embrace and accept them.
Focus: Hearing loss/hearing aids/childhood disease/children’s biography
What does the author want you to know?
“And being different? That turned out to be the best part of all. I found that with a little creativity, and a lot of dedication, any difference can be turned into something amazing.
Our differences are our superpowers.”
Grade Level: 3-7
Age: 8-12 years
Published: 2014
El Deafo by Cece Bell has a charm that draws you in from the first page and is one of our all time favorite books that features a character with a disability.
Bell is a master storyteller as she seamlessly takes you through her childhood. You witness all of her ups and downs as she navigates friendships, adapts to her hearing loss, and finds herself as a person who is deaf.
There are so many enthralling details of Cece’s story, such as her mother bringing her to an American Sign Language Class, only to find out that she would rather read lips. The parts where she shares her frustrations when her friends treat her differently because of her hearing loss is raw and honest. And then, the details of her using the hearing technology that transforms her into her alter ego, El Deafo is the highlight of the story.
Hunter’s favorite part of El Deafo is when she begins to accept her disability and realizes she doesn’t need to be embarrassed by her hearing aids. The main character, Cece, expected people to not like her because of her deafness and when she makes it to the other side of those fears she treats her hearing loss as a super power.
And you know what’s exciting? El Deafo is a TV series on Apple TV+! We were giddy with excitement as we watched the trailer. The story came to life, right before our eyes and it looked just like the graphics in the book!
Personal Connection
Hunter was diagnosed with sensorineural moderately/severe bilateral hearing loss at the age of 7. Hunter needs hearing aids and can strongly relate to Cece when it comes to adapting to hearing devices. Also, his teacher wears a microphone just like in the book and I’m sure he gained comfort in knowing that he wasn’t alone. He has read this book more than once and has a special place in his heart for Cece. This story always pulls at my heart strings in the beginning when she is in the hospital for many days and then all of a sudden, her life is changed. I cried when I watched the show as I reflected upon those difficult times with Hunter. That part of the story is so heart wrenching!
We are so happy to see more stories with positive disability representation make their way into mainstream media. Only 3.5% of children’s books feature a character with a disability and Bell will always be known as a pioneer author in this vein. She is paving the way for more writers to tell disabled stories and I will forever be grateful for her courage and willingness to share her stories and talents.
El Deafo has won a Newberry Honor award and also an Eisner award for Best Publication for Kids (ages 8–12).
Cece Bell claims to be a hermit, but seems so witty and fun to be around. I imagine her as a warm and sincere person would creativity to boot! To get more of sense of who Cece is, check out this interview from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. I snagged the very end of her interview, because I loved it so much, so you can read that here.
7-Imp: What is your favorite word?
Cece: “Periwinkle.”
7-Imp: What is your least favorite word?
Cece: “Digit,” especially in reference to one’s finger.
7-Imp: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Cece: Plenty of sleep, dog-walking, talking to Sam, fun food, and, I guess, eating at Wendy‘s.
7-Imp: What turns you off?
Cece: Myself or others in a bad mood.
7-Imp: What is your favorite curse word? (optional)
Cece: “Crikey!”
7-Imp: What sound or noise do you love?
Cece: My older son belting out the Linus and Lucy song at the top of his lungs.
7-Imp: What sound or noise do you hate?
Cece: My older son belting out the Linus and Lucy song at the top of his lungs.
7-Imp: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Cece: I have little musical ability but have always fantasized about being a really, really good jazz pianist, who could play anytime, anywhere — at the drop of a hat.
7-Imp: What profession would you not like to do?
Cece: Medical stuff.
7-Imp: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Cece: “You done pretty good, kid.”
You can find Cece on Instagram, and here is her website.
