Wonderstruck
In this one of a kind book, the reader goes between two interweaving stories, set fifty years apart, one told in words, and the other in pictures. The story opens in 1977 with Ben, who is deaf in one ear, living with his aunt and uncle after his mother's sudden death in a car accident. He discovers a bookmark of his mother's with "Love, Danny" written on it. Ben has a gut feeling that Danny is his father. He begins to obsessively call the phone number on the bookmark when suddenly lightning hits the house, goes through the phone line and makes him deaf in both ears now. He wakes up in the hospital and escapes to New York City to look for the book store listed on the bookmark. He eventual gets to the bookstore and meets Rose. The Rose portions of the book are told through illustrations. Rose story is set in New Jersey 1927 when she was a child. She was kept isolated and alone in her father's home due to her deafness. She has a complete fascination with silent movie actress Lillian Mayhew and runs away to New York to meet her. When Rose and Lillian meet in Lillian's dressing room, we learn that Lillian is actual Rose's mother. Her mother is furious as she wants little to do with Rose. Rose escapes her dressing and is found by her brother who promises to take care of her now. When Ben meets Rose he learns she is actually his grandmother and Ben's dad, Danny, is her son. Danny has already passed but Rose and Ben discovered that they are kindred spirits and have an unspoken, deep connection.
This is a completely unique and visionary book. It seems a daunting book to undertake but once you begin reading, you won't be able to put it down. The richness and complexity of the book make it a must read and the beautiful connection between Rose and Ben will leave you breathless. I recommend this book for age 8 and up.
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