El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo by Cece Bell is about a girl named Cece who became deaf. She was always lonely at school. Cece also had to wear hearing aids that make her feel different. I think you should read this book, it's very inspiring.

El Deafo reminds me of my friends deaf cat .It reminds me of Buddy because he's just like Cece. He's just like Cece because he's deaf. I feel very bad for Buddy and Cece. This is why I like the book, El Deafo.

By #Unstoppable  Princess

El Deafo by Cece Bell is a graphic novel and a Newbery Honor book.  I am highly recommending this book to teachers and students.  It is a great book to help us celebrate our differences.  The author is an author/illustrator and this is her life story, so it is in the Biography section of the library.  I have included a link to a youtube video by the author promoting her book and telling a little about herself.

As a young child Cece gets sick, and as a result of that illness, loses her hearing.  She has to wear large hearing aids and hates how they look and how they make her feel different.  El Deafo is a character that Cece creates in her imagination to help her deal with frustrating situations she faces because of her hearing problems.  It is hard for Cece to make friends and she is lonely much of the time.  Read El Deafo and learn how Cece manages to get along in school and turn her difference into a super power. El Deafo is a 2016 RICBA nominee.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

El Deafo by Cece Bell is about a girl named Cece Bell. She is just a regular girl with a very creative imagination until her world is turned upside down. She is deaf and she must wear an FM and she has some funny moments with it, like when she heard her teacher going to the bathroom.  She calls herself El Deafo a superhero and she fights crime, but only in her mind. Will she make it through the sixth grade? Read it to find out.

I thought the book was really cool and I really liked it. I think you should read it too. It is a really nice book. This book is so much like my life. I am hard of hearing and I wear an FM like her, but mine is more advanced. So, for example, mine is small and hard to see but her’s is a big box on her chest and it was made in the 1970’s.  Except  for the part where mine just recently broke, they are fixing it now but luckily I got a replacement. If you read this book you would understand but if you have not then you should read it NOW! It is a super duper great book and Have Fun Reading!

Reviewed by Doggie G

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is about twins whose whole lives revolve around basketball. The older twin, Filthy MCnasty, and JB, his younger brother are both basketball stars. Their dad went to the world championships when he was younger and when he was doing a slam dunk, he hurt his knee. He could have had surgery for the injury but he decided not to. That was the end of his career and he never competed again. Skip foward years now and he is teaching his twins to be basketball prodigies.

One day in school JB finds a new girl walking in the cafeteria, and she is a basketball player too. Filthy MCnasty doesn’t approve of “Miss Sweet Tea”, the new girl, aka JB’s girlfriend. He starts spending all his time with her and he starts skipping practices and games. Meanwhile, the twins dad starts getting sick and he won't do anything about it. Will the twins make up and go to the championships? Is their dad going to be ok? What will happen to Miss Sweet Tea?

This book is both intense and caring. I give this book four and a half stars because the detail is AMAZING and you can feel the tense times the character goes through. You feel and live what is written on these pages. I like this book because it reminds me of the hard times but you will make it on the other side eventually, because life gets better.

-amazinga142

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is the well deserved winner of the 2015 Newbery Award.   Wow, what a great book!  Told in poetry that is bold and powerful, this book sings!  The author tells the story of twin brothers who are basketball stars on their school team.  Lots of fast action on the court will thrill basketball fans.  The book goes deeper than basketball, because what is happening on the court reflects the complications of life off court.  Drive toward the hoop with this heart hammering winner of a book.  I finished it in a single reading.  Could not put it down!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson

I am reading my way through the 2015 Award books.  The first one I am reviewing is a Newbery Honor book by Jaqueline Woodson, called Brown Girl Dreaming.  I have always loved Ms. Woodson's books and her writing style.  Some of my fiction favorites are Locomotion and Feathers, and a picture book entitled, The Other Side.  She is an extremely gifted poet and with minimal, beautiful text she takes complex situations and makes you see them and understand her point of view.  Brown Girl Dreaming is Ms. Woodson's memoir, so it will be found in the biography section of the library.  In the book, Jacqueline describes her life as a little girl.  She introduces you to the events and important family members that loved her and shaped the person she became.  She does all of this through powerful poetry.

This would be a great read aloud for teachers that want to discuss poetry, memoirs, and race relations in the United States.  You will be impressed by the beautiful style of Woodson's writing, and who knows, maybe your students will be inspired too!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro