very good book for young adults and adults.
Another book written for teens, but E.L. Konigsburg is just the sort of writer who drags you in and forces you to finish a book at one sitting. I got this because I heard it was a tie-in to 'The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place.' It sort of is - it takes place in the same town, but years later, and the story itself isn't connected at all.
It's sort-of a mystery. A teen boy, Connor, tells the story. His best friend, Branwell, finds himself psychologically unable to talk after an incident at his home. His baby half-sister was dropped on her head, and is comatose. The au pair nanny accuses Branwell of dropping her. It's kind of obvious to the reader that Branwell didn't mean any harm (and that the nanny is an awful person) - but why does Branwell find himself unable to speak up to defend himself? Connor must find a way of communicating with Branwell and unraveling the truth.
It's sort-of a mystery. A teen boy, Connor, tells the story. His best friend, Branwell, finds himself psychologically unable to talk after an incident at his home. His baby half-sister was dropped on her head, and is comatose. The au pair nanny accuses Branwell of dropping her. It's kind of obvious to the reader that Branwell didn't mean any harm (and that the nanny is an awful person) - but why does Branwell find himself unable to speak up to defend himself? Connor must find a way of communicating with Branwell and unraveling the truth.
Predictable and SOOOOOOO not believable. Pass on this one!
When he is wrongly accused of gravely injuring his baby half sister, thirteen-year-old Branwell Zamborsha loses his power of speech and only his friend Connor is able to reach him and uncover the truth about what really happened.
The story is and intriuging page-turner, captivating the imaginaion at every level!
The story is and intriuging page-turner, captivating the imaginaion at every level!
Silent to the Bone is about a child named Branwell Zamborska who stops talking after his baby sister is hurt. Nikki, Branwell's sister, is not breathing and Branwell calls emergency services, but he stops talking. His English au pair Vivian comes on the line and screams that Branwell has shaken the baby. Nikki ends up in a coma and Branwell is taken into custody. Branwell goes to a juvenile behavioral center because he refuses to talk, which does not help him if Nikki dies and criminal charges will be brought against him. Branwell's best friend Connor comes to visit him while he is detained and devises a plan that allows Branwell to communicate with Connor without speaking. Through this code, Branwell sends Connor out to discover the truth of what happened on the day that Nikki stopped breathing. The mystery of what really happened on that day unravels as Connor finds himself saving Branwell.
This was surprisingly darker than what I am used to by Konigsburg. The manipulation of the culprit is intense. I loved going through the mystery with Connor. It was always interesting to find out where Branwell was going to lead us. It also gave a very empowering feeling to younger readers because they ultimately are the only ones that can communicate and save the day. All of the adults are missing too many clues. On the negative side, I never felt compelled to read this book. There were quite a few times that I put it down in order to read something else. It is not exciting and gripping. For the most part, it is a slow moving novel that has a lot of entertaining parts that don't need to be read right away. As a teacher, this makes me nervous because I feel like a child would not be as patient as I am. They will probably put the book down and forget about it rather than pick it back up a few days later and continue. There is a lot more thinking and talking about thinking than actual action within the whole story. I guess that is what happens when one of the main characters does not speak.
All in all, I gave this a 3/5 stars. I liked it, but I will probably not push it towards my students or read it again.
This was surprisingly darker than what I am used to by Konigsburg. The manipulation of the culprit is intense. I loved going through the mystery with Connor. It was always interesting to find out where Branwell was going to lead us. It also gave a very empowering feeling to younger readers because they ultimately are the only ones that can communicate and save the day. All of the adults are missing too many clues. On the negative side, I never felt compelled to read this book. There were quite a few times that I put it down in order to read something else. It is not exciting and gripping. For the most part, it is a slow moving novel that has a lot of entertaining parts that don't need to be read right away. As a teacher, this makes me nervous because I feel like a child would not be as patient as I am. They will probably put the book down and forget about it rather than pick it back up a few days later and continue. There is a lot more thinking and talking about thinking than actual action within the whole story. I guess that is what happens when one of the main characters does not speak.
All in all, I gave this a 3/5 stars. I liked it, but I will probably not push it towards my students or read it again.
Daughter read this for a school project in 7th grade. She really liked the book (and she normally does not enjoy reading).
