El Deafo
Cece Bell and David Lasky

When I was younger, my mission was to get through as many Newbery Honor books as possible. I never read all of them, but every so often I pick up a newer winner to try and keep my goal alive. This is the first graphic novel I’ve read that has won the award and it deserves it. After a childhood illness, Cece is left deaf, but that doesn’t stop her from attending school and making friends. It does make it difficult for her to find friends who won’t shout at her or use her disability to their advantage. Cece remains remarkably strong and positive throughout this memoir, despite dealing with many challenges. This book was very enlightening to a person with unimpaired hearing and made me more conscious of the way I treat deaf and hard of hearing people.

My Jasper June and Orphan Island
Laurel Snyder

Orphan Island, Laurel Snyder’s book for middle grade readers, has been a steady favorite at the store with young readers and adults as well as staff. Snyder’s newest book, which will be released September 3, is just as powerful. The book begins on the last day of school. As Leah walks home, she feels none of the excitement and anticipation she felt in previous years. Something happened a year ago, and Leah is sad and lonely, cut off from her friends and her parents. I don’t want to reveal what that event was, as the suspense about it builds until later in the story. Leah has a chance meeting with a girl named Jasper, and gradually realizes that Jasper is as lonely as she is. The girls become fast friends. The book explores the nature of family, of friendship, and how individuals persevere after difficult experiences, and it’s wrapped up in a great story. Although the book is for people aged 8 to 12, it’s also a terrific book for adults. I can see it as a future book group pick. I listened to the book on Libro.fm. and highly recommend it. The narrator perfectly captures Jasper’s voice, adding to my listening pleasure.