Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
September 13, 2011; Scholastic Inc.

Summary

Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful--with over 460 pages of original artwork--Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.(courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

It's not often that an author does something truly groundbreaking. Brian Selznick is rewriting the possibilities of children's literature. Picture books are no longer confined to the infant and preschool set. Illustrations do not simply support a story, they tell a story. Wonderstruck is a fabulous novel that illustrates just how far you can with words and illustrations.

Wonderstruck tells two seemingly unrelated stories. Ben's story begins in Minnesota in the 1970s. It is told through words. Rose's story starts out in New Jersey in the late 1920s. It is told entirely through photos. Ben is mourning the death of his mother and wants to learn more about his past, including his father, who he has never met. Rose is a deaf girl who longs for people and a world, that for various reasons have been closed off to her. Both characters set off on journeys to New York City to hopefully find what they think they're missing.

From an adult perspective, Ben and Rose's stories are quite melancholic. There is death, mistreatment by adults, frustrating friendships, and more. All this is framed around exciting adventures. I wonder if kids pick up on the sadness or if they mostly focus on the excitement of the characters' quests.

The book partially feels like an homage to The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler. Selznick even credits the book at the end. Much of it is set at the Museum of Natural History which Ben explores extensively. The book also takes us to parts of New York City that the casual tourist is unlikely to find. I loved how Ben and Rose's stories eventually meshed up. I definitely did not expect the connection...although to be honest I hadn't spent much time pondering the possibilities. It makes a rather depressing book feel uplifting an hopeful. The only criticism I have of this book, other than being sad, is that it's a bit unrealistic. Not impossible that the various plot points could occur, but I highly doubt it. But I will gladly suspend belief for this book.

The illustrations are amazing. There are over 400 drawings. Each are made with such detail that I wanted to cut them out of the book and hang them on the wall. It's amazing how well they conveyed Rose's story. Not only that, but they reflected the characters' emotions as well or even better than words could have. I thought it was appropriate that Rose, who had no hearing, was the character whose life was featured in a richly detailed albeit silent world.

You must pick up Wonderstruck. It's a very quick read that packs a big emotional punch. A sweet story about discovering your roots, but most importantly discovering yourself.

Rating: 4 / 5