Books to Read While Physically Distancing: El Deafo by Cece Bell

Did you know that your Galesburg Public Library card allows you to check out e-books and audio books through the Libby app? All you need is your library card and your PIN (your birth date in MMDDYYYY format) and you'll be on your way to reading on your phone or tablet!

Books to Read While Physically Distancing (BtRWPD) will focus on books available for checkout through Libby.


El Deafo
by Cece Bell
New York: Amulet Books, 2014

Based on the author's own experience, the main character loses her hearing at age four due to illness. She struggles to connect with her classmates and make friends while wearing bulky hearing aids with long cords (it's the 70s). In her imagination, she's 'El Deafo' and has superpowers, but these don't quite transfer over to the real world.

I found this graphic novel for older elementary kids an enjoyable evening's read. The art style works well on a Kindle, and the story absolutely rings true for the trials and tribulations of elementary school friendships. The addition of such a noticeable difference like large hearing aids makes fitting in all the more difficult.