Parents' Guide to

Wonderstruck

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Inventive story of runaways in New York, 50 years apart.

Book Brian Selznick Historical Fiction 2011
Wonderstruck Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Janelle Brin
Janelle Brin Adult
April 3, 2016
age 8+

A great family time book.

This is an excellent book to share with your family. This book is perfect for the entire family. This is something you can really sink your teeth into and be consistently DELIGHTED by several elements: the impressiveness of artwork, the complexity of storyline, the development of characters, the pacing of plot, the depth of themes, the interest of history, and the sheer coolness of learning about something very new (well, to most people). https://spikedogbooks.wordpress.com

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
shanerocks
shanerocks Adult
April 6, 2012
age 9+

Great! An awesome follow-up to Hugo Cabret!

This book is Brian Selnick's BEST book! It's even better than Hugo Cabret! But Hugo Cabret is still a GREAT book!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (14):

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

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