Bell, C. (2014).  El Deafo.  BY: Abrams

This is a memoir, which tells about Cece Bell and chronicles her life after her hearing loss and her learning to use a “phonic ear.”  She talks about how it gives her the ability to hear pretty much everything even some of the things she shouldn’t and wishes she couldn’t.  The ability to hear things tends to isolate her from the other students and her classmates.  All she really wants is a true friend.  Eventually she learns to use this hearing aid to her benefit and becomes what she calls “El Deafo, Listener for All.”  This helps her find her place and find the friend she has always wanted.

This story would probably appeal to grades 4 – 9.  Written as a “graphic novel” is part of its wide appeal.  As a graphic novel, the vocabulary is simple and often abbreviated making it readable down to about 3^rd grade.  This text could easily be applied to elementary lessons on tolerance and overcoming difficulties.  It would be a perfect text to use in a classroom with a hearing impaired student.  This text could also applied to a social studies lesson on sub-cultures as deaf culture is significantly different from hearing culture.  It is a cute story that encourages perseverance.