Take a photo of a barcode or cover
indigospin's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story, but something felt missing. Sometimes the characters didn't quite seem to act their real age and felt too clever to be real. Overall a decent story, though this is not for the young precocious reader who may be able to handle the vocabulary but not the content. Not my favorite Konigsburg book, but she still ranks in my mind as an awesome young adult author.
caseyhitchcock81's review against another edition
5.0
E.L. Konigsburg really comes through with this one. Beware, this isn't a book for younger readers. Branwell- a slightly odd, very precocious child- stops talking the day he calls 911. His sister Nikki is in a coma, and the au pair (the icky Vivian) explains that Bran shook and then dropped her. Bran is put in a juvenile detention center, and it's up to his best friend, Connor, to develop a code and find out what really happened that day.
This book is really, really good.
This book is really, really good.
larksnest's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this would be more of a "kids" book - but it didn't feel like it. I enjoyed the writing and the story had some twists. The writing perfectly portrayed a smart precocious kid's inner monologue and his unique way of phrasing was pretty adorable - also his relationship with both Branwell and Margaret was really heartwarming.
andrea_romo's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marycrauderueff's review against another edition
5.0
This book is amazing. Chilling; I couldn't put it down! Another win for Koningsburg.
hughmercey340's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
heathermassareads's review against another edition
5.0
Branwell stops speaking after something happens to his baby sister that makes her go into a coma. His best friend, Connor, devises a method through flashcards and blinking in which Branwell can communicate with him. The mystery of what happened between Branwell, the baby, and the au pair is revealed little by little as Connor works to free his best friend from silence.
Totally great. This book approaches a few subjects that are really hard for teenage and preteen boys to talk about.
Totally great. This book approaches a few subjects that are really hard for teenage and preteen boys to talk about.
buelll's review against another edition
4.0
This was a quick read and suspenseful! It sort of reminded me of the main character in the book Speak, mostly because the girl in that book refuses to talk about something traumatic she has been through. Conor's character is the one telling the story, and I was really impressed with his patience and ability to do what adults couldn't in this case: create a communication system between he and his best friend. It made me think a lot about kids' ability to do things that sometimes we don't give them credit for and also patience, family, and empathy.
randomcarpediem's review against another edition
3.0
"Silent to the Bone" deals with a number of issues; it confronts divorce, friendship, sexual attraction, parent and child relationships, second marriages and child abuse.
The book starts with a 911 call and the caller cannot speak, Branwell Zamborska is struck dumb from the moment he makes the call. Something traumatic has happened and now Branwell is silent to the bone.
Branwell's baby sister suffers from encephalitis and Branwell is blamed for causing the harm. Connor who is Branwell's friend knows that Branwell would not harm Nikki, so Connor becomes actively engaged in the solving of the mystery. With the help of his older half sister, Connor solves the mystery to Branwell's silence.
I found this book exciting and entertaining in some parts and then it would seem to get dull and then pick up again. The book definitely tries to deal with a number of issues and is quite successful in the way it handles them.
The book starts with a 911 call and the caller cannot speak, Branwell Zamborska is struck dumb from the moment he makes the call. Something traumatic has happened and now Branwell is silent to the bone.
Branwell's baby sister suffers from encephalitis and Branwell is blamed for causing the harm. Connor who is Branwell's friend knows that Branwell would not harm Nikki, so Connor becomes actively engaged in the solving of the mystery. With the help of his older half sister, Connor solves the mystery to Branwell's silence.
I found this book exciting and entertaining in some parts and then it would seem to get dull and then pick up again. The book definitely tries to deal with a number of issues and is quite successful in the way it handles them.
readoodles's review against another edition
4.0
On Wednesday, November 25, at 2:43pm, EST, Branwell Zamborska is struck dumb. Nikki, his baby half sister has slipped inot a coma.
Branwell is accused of causing Nikki’s injury and Branwell is sent to County Juvenile Behavioral Center
Lots of people try to help Branwell speak again but the only one who may even have a chance of pulling Branwell out and getting him to speak of what happened is Branwell’s best friend, Connor.
Branwell is accused of causing Nikki’s injury and Branwell is sent to County Juvenile Behavioral Center
Lots of people try to help Branwell speak again but the only one who may even have a chance of pulling Branwell out and getting him to speak of what happened is Branwell’s best friend, Connor.