The Voorheesville Public Library had a very successful family book discussion of “El Deafo” by Cece Bell on July 9th.
From the Youth & Family Services desk at the Voorheesville Public Library:
On Thursday, July 9th, the Voorheesville Public Library hosted a family book discussion. We all read the book El Deafo by Cece Bell, since this book won the Newbery honor and focuses on the theme of a superhero. Our evening began with a potluck dinner followed by a discussion and guest speaker. I had been in contact with the author via e-mail and she was kind enough to answer questions sent to me by the participants. I shared her answers with the group and they were delighted! As part of the program, a fellow librarian, who raised two deaf daughters, spoke to the group about what it was like from a parent’s point of view to raise children who are deaf (just like Cece Bell in her graphic novel memoir El Deafo about becoming deaf at the age of four). The children and parents learned a great deal.
We ended our wonderful evening by taking a group photo (see attached), which I sent to the author. Ms. Bell loved it!
This was a hugely successful evening of sharing food, reading, discussing and learning. We had 20 families register with almost 50 in attendance. My family of readers has already asked when the next family book discussion will be held. I was happy to tell them that one is planned for November (author visit via Skype) and another in January (author in-person visit). Everyone had a wonderful time. One mother wrote me an e-mail the following morning and said: “That was a great event last night!!! It was insightful and meaningful for the kids and the adults. Thank you so much!” I just love being a youth services librarian!
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