Books like El Deafo

A warm, funny, and deeply relatable graphic memoir about turning what makes you different into your greatest superpower. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with El Deafo.

warm
nostalgic
uplifting
empathetic

01
Smile
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, funny, and deeply relatable journey through the physical and social growing pains of middle school.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- empathetic
- humorous
- earnest
02
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the cramped quarters of a family road trip and the even tighter confines of sisterhood.
Shares:
- warm
- nostalgic
- humorous
- relatable
03
Fish in a Tree
Lynda Mullaly Hunt
A warm, deeply empathetic hug of a book that celebrates the different ways minds work.
Shares:
- warm
- uplifting
- empathetic
- humorous
04
Wonderstruck
Brian Selznick
A cinematic, dual-timeline journey told through both words and pictures about finding connection in the quiet halls of a museum.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- empathetic
- earnest
05
Real Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply validating, emotionally honest exploration of the roller coaster of childhood friendships and the quest to find where you truly belong.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- relatable
06
Rosalie Lightning
Tom Hart
A heart-breaking yet beautiful graphic journey through the depths of parental grief toward a fragile, hard-won hope.
Feels:
- sorrowful
- devastating
- tender
07
Love That Dog
Sharon Creech
A tender, quick-reading verse novel that captures the quiet magic of finding the right words to heal a broken heart.
Shares:
- earnest
08
Noisy Nora
Rosemary Wells · 2003
A boisterous, empathetic exploration of feeling overlooked in a busy family.
Shares:
- warm
- empathetic
09
Out of my mind
Sharon Mills Draper · 2010
A deeply empathetic and triumphant journey inside the brilliant mind of a girl fighting to be heard.
Shares:
- uplifting
- empathetic
- earnest
10
Someday Angeline
Louis Sachar
A thoughtful exploration of school life and self-acceptance centered on a dynamic, gifted young girl.
Shares:
- earnest
11
Eleanor & Park
Rainbow Rowell
A tender, mixtape-fueled exploration of first love that feels as visceral and fragile as a bruised heart.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
12
Allergic
Megan Wagner Lloyd
A warm, deeply relatable exploration of childhood disappointment and the creative ways we find to belong.
Shares:
- warm
- empathetic
- humorous
- earnest

Back to El Deafo