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Booktalk
#1
The most recent story from
skilled Newbery Medalist E.L. Konigsburg, Silent to the Bone, ranks as
a top mystery novel for both middle and high schoolers. This multi-layer
story unfolds as infant Nikki lies in a coma and her thirteen-year-old
half-brother Branwell stands accused of having dropped her. Opening with
his distress call to 911, during which Branwell is rendered mute and remains
so for most of the book, this narrative by his best friend Connor details
the boys' development of a creative method of communicating, leading to
Connor's finally uncovering the truth of the surprising events of the tragic
day. Written with keen sensitivity to the themes important to this age,
friendship, family, emerging sexuality, trust, and loyalty, Silent to the
Bone is a compelling read with well-developed lead characters, engaging
dialogue, and a fascinating premise.
(Lisa Maher, Colorado
Blue Spruce YA Book Award, 2003)
Booktalk #2
Trying to call 9-1-1 to save his half-sister, thirteen-year old Branwell
Zamborska is struck dumb. He can’t utter a word and just stands there
as the operator begs him to speak. When the au pair or babysitter
accuses him of hurting his little sixth month old sister, he can only stand
there and stare. Unable to defend himself, he is taken away to the
Clarion County Juvenile Behavioral Center. No one can make him speak,
and it is starting to look like he is guilty. As the state begins
to mount a case against Branwell, his father calls on Connor, Branwell’s
best friend, to visit him to see if Connor can break through his wall of
silence.
Desperate to prove Branwell’s innocence, Connor finds a way to communicate
with him. Through these communications, Connor is sent on mission
after mission to find the clues that will break Branwell’s silence and
set him free. With the help of his older half sister, Connor begins
to investigate the events that lead up to the silence. Will Connor
discover what really happened on that horrible night, or will Branwell
be tried for the actions that caused his sister’s hospitalization?
Follow Connor as he pieces together the clues and learns that communication
can occur even when there are no words left to say. Read what caused
Branwell Zamborska to become Silent to the Bone and learn how true friendship
pulls us through. (Sandra M. Brundage, jimufl@bellsouth.net,
USC-MLIS Intern)
Booktalk #3
Connor and Branwell have been
best friends since nursery school. Their friendship however gets put to
the ultimate test after Branwell’s baby sister, Nicole, is in a near fatal
“accident” and the only one who can clarify what really happened is Branwell.
The problem is the only witness who will speak the truth hasn’t spoken
since the accident. Now Connor must unravel the clues Branwell is trying
to give him to prove is friend’s innocence and try to figure out a way
to make his best friend speak (Jordyn R. Webster, student,
Manfield High School) |
