El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo by Cece Bell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This graphic novel is adorable and inclusive. I loved it. It's honest and has it's own sort of sweet and funny charm, which is well portrayed by the artwork. I'd recommend this one to anyone and everyone. A+

Book 58 read in 2018

Pages: 233

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, how many times do you want me to say Colleen Hoover is magic, and every story she writes resonates with me? Because I can just keep saying it for as long as she keeps writing novels, if I need to.

Pages: 385

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought this YA fantasy story was fascinating, and I loved how different it was from Richelle Mead's other body of work. The way she handles her deaf characters and their interactions with the world, especially the one who regains hearing, was very intriguing.

I'm not sure why so many people dislike it, as it is well-written, though I confess that if you expected a story like VA, this is quite different. Personally, I thought it was a refreshing change of pace. I appreciated the diversity and variety, and I thought the story was fast-paced with a solid plot.

Helen’s Big World by Doreen Rappaport

This picture book biography of Helen Keller uses actual quotes from Ms. Keller interspersed with the narrative of her life. A moving but matter-of-fact re-telling of the familiar story,  one that children will be fascinated with.

It begins with Helen as a baby, laughing and gurgling and beginning to talk; then the mysterious illness that left her deaf and blind, and unable to talk. It continues  through her life
as a lecturer, author, and advocate for social causes.

It is a MASL 'Show Me' award nominee for 2014-2015.

48 pages