The characters of the book Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick, Rose and Ben, seem to have nothing in common, other than that Rose is deaf and Ben is deaf in one ear. They are from different time periods and places; Ben from Gunflint Lake, Minnesota, in 1977, and Rose from Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1927. Even though Wonderstruck is historical fiction, it is told in a way that I think, even people who don’t like that genre can enjoy.
Rose and Ben’s stories are even told differently; Ben in words and Rose in pictures; though both are pretty amazingly done.
When Ben’s mom dies in a car crash, he moves in with his aunt, uncle, and cousins, and his house is left to be dealt with by his aunt and uncle, although he doesn't want them to sell it. On a stormy night, he visits the house and finds what might be information about his long lost father. Trying to contact him by phone, Ben gets knocked out by a lightning strike. He is sent to a hospital and his good ear is damaged. Then, without anyone knowing, Ben sneaks out to New York City to find his father.
Rose spends her time looking out her bedroom window at New York City and making models of the buildings she sees. She keeps a scrapbook of an actress named Lillian Mayhew, who is actually her mother. Her dad does not like Rose going out in the city, as he feels it’s not safe for a deaf girl to be out alone. However, Rose sneaks out to the movies anyway, and then sneaks out to New York City to see her mother. Lillian Mayhew gets very annoyed and gets someone to bring Rose back, but she sneaks back home by herself.
These two stories intertwine in unpredictable ways, not unlike the way the characters in Brian Selznick’s last book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret. In Wonderstruck, Brian Selznick takes Ben and Rose, and joins their stories together, helping both protagonists.
Wonderstruck has slight mystery, and even though it is short, it is very thoughtful.
Brian Selznick has found a creative new way to write books for kids.
I would rate Wonderstruck three out of five, because even though it is very good, it is a little too short in my opinion. The concept is so thoughtful, I would have liked to have read more. In the beginning it was also a little hard for me to get into the book because of all the illustrations.
I think Wonderstruck is good for a lot of different ages. From a nine year old who is a good reader and who wants a more interesting story, to an eleven or twelve year old who wants a quick read with pictures, that still has a good story.
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