A Mother's Disability and her Daughter's Love

So. B. It by Sarah Weeks

                I will start this review by saying this book is incredible, and a real tear-jerker, but as this blog does not post spoilers, I won’t tell you why. 12 year old main character Heidi lives with her mother, who has is mentally disabled. Because of her mother’s disability, Heidi knows very little about her mother’s past. What she does know however, is that their neighbor Bernadette looks after Heidi and her mother. Heidi’s mother has a limited vocabulary, calling herself So. B. It, hence the title of the book. In order to find more about her mother, Heidi embarks on a journey to discover her mother’s past, against the will of Bernadette. While on her journey Heidi learns what she set out for, but more importantly learns about herself.

                I have included this novel because while the child does not possess a disability, I still believe her mother’s disability plays a large role in her upbringing and the character she becomes at the end of the story. I think often times it may be easy to forget that parents may have disabilities too, and this novel is the perfect example of taking yet another angle when looking at disabilities in children’s literature. I believe this book does a wonderful job of portraying the mother as someone who is full of compassion and love, who has a personality and a history beyond her disability. As Heidi uncovers her mother’s history she learns much about herself. She learns to appreciate what she doesn’t know, and accept what she cannot change. The growth Heidi experiences throughout the novel would not have been the same had her worldview not been shaped by her mother having a disability. I believe this book is appropriate for readers of all ages, and easy to relate to for every reader as well. Viewing disability through the eyes of a loved one of the person who is disabled gives an enlightening perspective to the novel. This book will make any reader appreciative of what they have, and thankful for their family and loved ones.

Talking Slow and Loud makes it Worse: Deafness in Children's Literature

El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo is a graphic novel written by Cece Bell. This adorable comic tells the story of Cece, a young girl who was born deaf, and who faces the challenge of going to school with children who aren’t like her. Cece finds herself self-conscious of her hearing aids, and the embarrassing cords attached to them. Along with the problems brought on by her hearing aids, Cece deals with finding the right friends, doing well in school, and crushing on a boy. As stated preciously, this is a graphic novel. And the characters are all bunnies! The illustrations are adorable, and I found they in fact universalize Cece, instead of pinpointing her and her disability to a certain look. Scholars Debbie Golos and Annie Moses discuss the way graphic novels and picture books are effective in the portrayal and education specifically regarding deaf characters in their article, "Representations of Deaf Characters in Children's Picture Books". Click here to check it out!

The way Bell portrayed a hearing disability was extremely informative, being that the story is told from Cece’s point of view. As a reader who knows very little about the deaf community, I was able to learn so much about someone who is deaf, and how best to speak to them…normal! Bell does an incredible job of educating, but also showing readers Cece is just like everyone else, crushing on guys, making new friends, and going to school. One great example of the educational factor of this book is Cece describing the way one of her friends speaks to her saying, "Ginny sure is nice! But how can I tell her that it's harder to understand her when she talks so loud and so slow?" (65). I would say this book is definitely geared at a grammar school age audience, however that is not to say an older reader would not enjoy the book. Deafness is one disability that children may not be as exposed to, and it is important to educate children on what it is like to be deaf, and that children with hearing disabilities are the same as you and I. The disability in this graphic novel serves as a way to show readers that everyone has their own struggles, whether they are as visible as hearing aids or not. 

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins: Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Suicide in Children's Literature

                Impulse is a verse novel that delves into the lives of three teenagers in Aspen Springs, a mental rehabilitation facility. The novel switches between the view points of the three main characters, Conner, Vanessa and Tony. Each teen has been admitted to Aspen Springs for their mental disabilities: Conner for attempted suicide with a gun, Vanessa for cutting her wrists, and Tony for his addiction to drugs. I will warn you the content of the verse novel could be inappropriate for younger readers. Inappropriate language is used sparingly throughout, as well as sexual references and graphic content regarding suicide attempts and cutting. However, in no way would I suggest this content takes away from the novel, I believe it adds to the raw, honest lives of the characters.

What is interesting about this book is while the teens are in the facility for things like depression and bipolar disorder, the reader gets a look at the lives of the characters through their own perspective. I believe this contributes to awareness for readers who may be unfamiliar with this kind of mental disability, by putting themselves in the shoes of the characters. Outside of their mental disabilities, these characters remain relatable to any reader. For example, Conner comes from a wealthy upbringing and over-bearing parents who expect him to exceed in everything, Vanessa is living without a mother and a father who is overseas, and Tony was raised by a drug-addicted mother and a non-existent father. Their family lives humanize the characters for readers who may be unable to relate to their disabilities.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and while the content may not be suitable for younger readers, I would not completely count it out. Hopkins does an incredible job of making this book accessible to readers with all different backgrounds and knowledge levels. Disabilities such a depression and bipolar disorder are address in this book in such a way that educates readers, as well as assures readers with similar struggles they are understood and not alone. Want to know what other critics are saying about this book? Click here to check it out. Purchase Impulse here.