Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inventive story of runaways in New York, 50 years apart.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say that the book is beautifully engaging and captivating, often leading to quick readings as it mixes words and illustrations effectively. While some younger readers may find it challenging, many praise the storytelling and character development, highlighting its themes of family, deafness, and resilience, though there are opinions that it could be confusing at times.
- engaging narrative
- captivating illustrations
- themes of family
- some confusion
- suitable for tweens
- advanced reading level
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
There are two stories, one in words, one in beautifully drawn pictures. The former finds 12-year-old Ben in 1977 Minnesota, newly orphaned by the death of his free-spirited librarian mom and troubled by dreams of wolves. The latter concerns 12-year-old Rose, in 1927, tending her movie-star scrapbook and gazing longingly at the New York skyline. Both pack their treasured belongings, flee to New York, and ultimately find themselves at the American Museum of Natural History, which plays a vital role in connecting them to people with whom they're going to share many things in their lives. There are many missteps, scary interludes, great revelations, and sweet moments along the way.
Is It Any Good?
WONDERSTRUCK is visually gorgeous and emotionally satisfying and will leave readers quite fond of the characters. The issue of Ben and Rose's deafness is a strong theme; it's presented with complexity and a strong emphasis on the practical, which both deaf and hearing kids of today may find thought-provoking. The novel is not afraid to delve into the esoteric, so some of the specifics may not be every kid's dish. While the theme of finding your own people, the ones who understand you and share your interests, is pretty universal (what kid cannot relate to Harry's joy at landing at Hogwarts after life among the Muggles?), not every kid will share Ben and Rose's passion for curating per se.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about running away from home, which is an integral part of this book. Why do Ben and Rose run away? Do you think they had any other choice? Were they lucky things turned out so well? What might have happened to them today?
What does Wonderstruck show about how friends and family members treat one another?
Rose and Ben are both deaf. Do you know any deaf people? Can you talk to them in American Sign Language?
What's your favorite museum?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : September 13, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 608
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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