Title: El Deafo

Author: Cece Bell

Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir

Rating: 

El Deafo is the funniest and yet most poignant graphic novel I have ever read. It is a memoir of author Cece Bell’s struggles after she becomes sick and loses her hearing at the age of four.  Until she reaches second grade, Bell lives in her own bubble with few friends because she is shy. All through the book, she thinks of herself as a superhero, known as El Deafo. By the time she reaches second grade, her social life is really only her brother and sister and one mean friend. When a new boy moves into town, she falls in love. The way the author explains how they interact is beyond hilarious.

 El Deafo is so touching and never gets old. I think I’ve read it 10 times and every time I read it, I deeply enjoy it. The cartooning is one of the best parts. The drawings are detailed but not overwhelming, and some of the best cartoons in this book are El Deafo superhero dreams, which are priceless. This is a must-read book full of humor, joy, and friendship between amazing characters.

Reviewer: Naomi

Age: 14

Title: Warriors Don’t Cry

Author: Melba Pattillo Beals

Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir

Rating: 

Warriors Don’t Cry, by Melba Pattillo Beals, is a heartbreaking, non-fiction book that gave me a deeper understanding of the struggles of African Americans. Warriors Don’t Cry is a memoir about Beals’ experience integrating into Little Rock’s Central High, Little Rock Arkansas, 1957. This book makes me feel as if I am walking the halls of the high school alongside the nine students (known as The Little Rock Nine ). Melba endured situations such as having a stick of dynamite flung at her, being burned in the girl’s restroom, and having acid sprayed into her eyes. She describes all these situations so well that it feels like you are right with her. The book engages your mind by putting you in someone else’s shoes.

The story has many distressing, but real scenes for which you have to be prepared for. There are some slower parts where Melba takes you through all her experiences of integrating Central, so I would not recommend it to anyone who needs a fast-paced story. I would also not recommend this book to anyone who can’t handle the agonizingly real violence portrayed in this book.  If you are looking for an engrossing, non-fiction book about the journeys, struggles, and sacrifices black people faced in our history, this is the book for you.

Reviewer: Lucii

Age: 14