Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear—sometimes things she shouldn’t—but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.
Cecelia Carolina “Cece” Bell is an American author and illustrator born in Richmond, Virginia. She attended College of William and Mary as an art major and went on to get a graduate degree in illustration and design at Kent State University. She became a freelance illustrator and designer for an array of projects before beginning her career as a full time author illustrator. Bell is married to children’s author Tom Angleberger. She won the Newbery Medal Honor and Eisner Award for her book El Deafo.
Read Aloud Tips
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Introduce the book by flipping through and previewing the illustrations. Have students make predictions about what might happen in the story.
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Encourage students to ask questions while you read.
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Take some time to share with students the autobiographical nature of this book. Prompt discussion about individual differences and personal struggles.
Readers will empathize with Cece as she tries to find friends who aren’t bossy or inconsiderate, and they’ll rejoice with her when she finally does. – Kirkus Reviews