Reviews

Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg

drkottke's review against another edition

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Realistic fiction, about one boy's attempt to communicate with his best friend, who has become silent after an accident that puts his sister in a coma.

bobkat's review against another edition

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4.0

Quite a good y/a story in which a boy tries to discover the facts that led to the arrest of his friend, who has since chosen to be mute.

karentorry's review against another edition

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3.0

I read this book - recommended by author John Green - in memory of the author, E.L. Konigsburg, who wrote one of my all-time favorite books, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. This book touches on far darker themes but features the kind of brainy, articulate, slightly odd kids that popular Konigsburg's books. I wouldn't rank this book as highly as other books but the author and I'm quite a lot older than the intended audience, but I enjoyed it.

maugen's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Very well written book and can be enjoyed by pretty much any age range. The content is kind of difficult to deal with, imagining these kids going through what they did, but Konigsburg writes it in a mature and straight-forward way.

Read for my Literary Forms & Genera course.
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everydayreading's review against another edition

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3.0

Good, but not quite great.

librarygrrl's review against another edition

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5.0

Connor's best friend, Branwell, has been accused of shaking his infant sister and causing her to fall into a coma. Branwell has stopped talking since the incident occurred and it falls to Branwell to try and break through his friend's inability to speak. Connor not only learns to communicate with him, but helps discover the truth that lies at the heart of the accident.

This story is very well written. Themes explored are those of true friendship, the complicated twists and turns of family (divorce), and blossoming feelings of romance and sexuality that tweens begin to feel as they enter that confusing world of adolescence. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

meubanks's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

maineiacsven's review against another edition

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4.0

Great book and a real page-turner. You just want to keep reading to find out what actually happened to baby Nikki. Some of the material is a little too mature for some of my students, but some of the fifth graders could read this. :)

akmanwell's review against another edition

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5.0

Silent to the Bone has something for everyone. The novel fits the contemporary realistic fiction genre, but there are also consistent elements of mystery, suspense, and humor. Connor and Branwell are caught in the middle of a serious case involving Branwell’s little sister, Nikki. Branwell is in a juvenile detention center, and he refuses to talk to defend himself.

Silent to the Bone was a terrific novel. I was glued to the book from start to finish. I would love to read this book with my class, but I would recommend it for upper elementary to middle school readers.