El Deafo: The Superpowered Edition

Newberry Honor Book author Cece Bell has a new superpowered edition of her 2014 graphic novel memoir El Deafo, in which she has added forty additional pages of childhood photographs, early sketches, and more. At age four, Cece suddenly comes down with meningitis and is rushed to the hospital. She and her parents soon learn that Cece can’t hear, she’s deaf. She is given a Phonic Ear, a hearing aid that is a little box with cords that attaches to her ears. Cece tries to hide the hearing aid under her overalls and worries that kids at her new school will treat her differently when they see it. Cece struggles to fit in and navigate new friendships in a hearing world. Bell’s illustrations, bright colors, and rabbit characters are funny and whimsical, and the story of her childhood is dramatic and inspirational. El Deafo not only teaches young readers about a facet of deaf culture but also teaches them that one’s difference is their superpower. The superpowered extras include early sketches and outlines of El Deafo, along with photos of Cece’s childhood friends, including the real-life inspiration for her crush Mike.