This book is two stories, alternating, that eventually come together for a dramatic conclusion. The first story is told in words -When Ben’s mother dies he is full of grief, and begins to search for his unnamed father. Complicating matters is that after a fateful accident, he is now completely deaf. When he arrives in New York City, alone, he eventually starts finding clues that lead him to the American Museum of Natural History. The second story is told through illustration -it details another deaf child, Rose, nearly 50 years in the past. She is struggling to find her place and some sense of belonging in the world. Her path also leads her to the American Museum of Natural History.
This has been, hands down, my favorite book reviewed to date. It is outstanding. I am tempted to go back through all my reviews and take them each down one notch, to better illustrate how fantastic this book was. The written story and the illustrated story were both, amazing, engaging, and immersive. Students will be drawn in, not only by creating Rose’s story in their own mind as they follow her illustrated journey, but by the well-written story of Ben. The need and the search for belonging, connection, and understanding is a universal desire that teens are coming to grips with, and this story will no-doubt resonate with them on a deep level. There are many ways to creatively connect this story to curriculum.
MS, HS- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment