El Deafo by Cece Bell

1. Bibliography 

Bell, Cece, and David Lasky. El Deafo. New-York, NY: Amulet Books, 2014.

2. Plot Summary 

This graphic novel memoir told through mice, tells the story of a young, deaf Cece is starting a new school. When she discovers that her Phonics Ear allows her to hear her teacher even when she’s not in the classroom, Cece becomes El Deafo, the superhero with the power to be the listening ear. She still feels different, and only wants a true friend more than anything else. Will she find what her heart wants most?

3. Critical Analysis

Cece Bell’s semi-autobiographical graphic novel is told through playful, colorful mouse illustrations. The panels vary from three to six different illustrations per page, and include narration boxes, and dialogue bubbles. Bell even includes a full page illustration with a diagram of the Phonic Ear that Cece must wear to hear in class. The story comes alive through the characters’ facial expressions and different scenes. The main character, Cece, like many children, desires to fit in and have a true friend, but struggles to do so as a deaf child in a hearing majority school. She stands out because of her disability, and eventually becomes El Deafo, the girl with “super hearing”, after she discovers her phonics ear is picking up not just what her teacher says in class, but what her teacher says and hears everywhere in the school. Eventually, Cece befriends Martha, a classmate with sight impairment who becomes the friend Cece always wanted. This book is a window into a childhood with disabilities, but young readers will be able to connect with Cece’s struggles to find friendship, and celebrate in her triumphs even if they don’t share Cece’s unique situation. 

4. Award(s) and Review Excerpt(s)

• 2015 Newbery Honor
  
• From Kirkus Review: “...whimsical color illustrations (all the human characters have rabbit ears and faces), clear explanations and Cece's often funny adventures help make the memoir accessible and entertaining. 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.”
  
• From School Library Journal: “This warmly and humorously illustrated full-color graphic novel set in the suburban '70s has all the gripping characters and inflated melodrama of late childhood: a crush on a neighborhood boy, the bossy friend, the too-sensitive-to-her-Deafness friend, and the perfect friend, scared away.”

5. Connections

Gather these other texts by Cece Bell:

• Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover. ISBN 0763668753
  
• Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball?. ISBN 1536204390
  

Gather these other graphic novels:

• Jamieson, Victoria. Roller Girl. ISBN 9780803740167
  
• Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. ISBN 0312384483
  
• Krosocczka, Jarret J. Hey Kiddo. ISBN 0545902487
  

Use to share with reluctant readers

Use to discuss the topic of disabilities with students 

Looking for Alaska by John Green

1. Bibliography

Green, John, and Julie Strauss-Gabel. Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2019.

2. Plot Summary 

Miles Halter loves last words. His fascination for them is what he uses to explain his reason for heading to the boarding school that his father attended. He is in search of “The Great Perhaps”. At Culver Creek, he meets Alaska Young, an enigmatic, moody, and beautiful girl who shows Miles “The Great Perhaps”. This entertaining coming of age novel explores tragedy, grief, hope, and love. 

3. Critical Analysis

Green writes this coming of age story from the perspective of the protagonist, Miles Halter, who is a unique, reflective, and youthful teenage boy. Miles is in search of something exciting in life, what he has come to call “The Great Perhaps”. He leaves his home to go to his father’s alma mater, Culver Creek, a boarding school. Introduced shortly into the story is Miles’ roommate and new best friend at Culver Creek, “The Colonel” , who is short, mischievous, loyal, and confident. Next at Culver Creek we meet Alaska Young, the enigmatic, devastatingly beautiful, and tragic love interest of Miles. Whereas Miles is cautious, Alaska is reckless. Whereas Miles is inexperienced, Alaska is full of knowledge of where to buy pink wine and cigarettes, sex, and feminist ideas. The trio become their own little dysfunctional family at Culver Creek. What ensues is a year of adventure and mischief cut short by the tragic death of Alaska Young. This leaves the Colonel and Miles to deal with the guilt, grief, and growth that the loss creates. Green writes from the perspective of a slightly self involved, but likable, teenage boy with ease, making it easy for teenage readers to connect. Teenage readers will envision themselves as Miles, root for him as he does life at Culver Creek, and will feel the same sting of Alaska’s death and a path changed forever for Miles. This book touches on some very sensitive topics like suicide, sex, and underage drinking, and this should be kept in mind when considering sharing with younger readers. 

4. Award(s) and Review Excerpt(s)

• 2006 Michael L. Printz Winner
  
• From Kirkus Review: “What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green's mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge's voice.”
  
• From School Library Journal: “Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability.”

5. Connections

Gather these other texts by John Green: 

• Turtles All The Way Down. ISBN 0525555374
  
• An Abundance of Katherines. ISBN 9780142410707
  
• Paper Towns. ISBN 9780142414934
  

Gather these other contemporary YA books: 

• Albertalli, Becky. Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda. ISBN 006234868X
  
• Chobsky, Stephen. The Perks of Being A Wallflower. ISBN 9781451696196
  
• Niven, Jennifer. All the Bright Place. ISBN 0385755910
  

Read aloud sections to discuss author’s style and John Green’s specific voice

Use as a book in a high school classroom library for student choice reading as it is a high interest 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

1. Bibliography

Barnhill, Kelly Regan. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Young Readers, 2019.

2. Plot Summary 

In the Protectorate, the people are terrorized by a witch who threatens to destroy the people if each year the people do not offer up the first born child. Luna, the sacrificial child of a Protectorate townswomen, is rescued and accidentally given powers by a witch named Xan. Her powers start to show and bring danger to Luna and those around her. Will Xan help Luna control her powers and help save the Protectorate from their real enemy?  

3. Critical Analysis

In vivid detail, Barnhill creates a story set in the Protectorate where fear of an evil witch who roams the forest controls the townspeople. Readers will quickly realize what the townspeople don’t, however; Xan, the witch in the forest, is actually good, kind, and motherly and the Grand Elder, on the other hand, is prideful and selfish. Other characters like the fun, playful Fyrian, the little dragon who believes himself to be huge, and cranky yet lovable, Glerk, the swamp monster, live with Xan and help her raise the baby the protectorate sacrifices and Xan accidentally “enmagicks”. Fantasy loving readers will identify with Luna, the “enmagiked” child, who is wild and spirit-filled. This story is both playful in its words and deep in its lessons about family and memory. This story touches on memory and how Xan has forgotten her memories because “sorrow is dangerous'' and chapters are prefaced as an adult retelling a story to a child. In order to save Luna and the people of the Protectorate, Xan and the people of the Protectorate will have to remember. Readers will love this fantastical story of good versus evil.

4. Award(s) and Review Excerpt(s)

• 2017 Newbery Medal Winner
  
• From School Library Journal: “An expertly woven and enchanting offering.”
  
• From Kirkus Review: “Replete with traditional motifs, this nontraditional fairy tale boasts sinister and endearing characters, magical elements, strong storytelling, and unleashed forces. Luna has black eyes, curly, black hair, and "amber" skin. Guaranteed to enchant, enthrall, and enmagick.”

5. Connections

Gather these other Kelly Barnhill books:

• Iron Hearted Violet. ISBN 0316056758
  
• The Witch’s Boy. ISBN 1616205482
  

Gather these other Newbery Medal fantasy books:

• Gailman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. ISBN 0060530944
  
• Lowry, Lois. The Giver.  ISBN 9780544336261
  
• Peterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabihia. ISBN 9780064401845
  

Use to perform reader’s theaters of scenes especially ones containing Fyrian and Glerk.

Consider suggesting to students who love other fantasy books.