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Reviews

Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg

kstericker's review against another edition

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

4.5

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eunicez's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

paigeagainstdamachine's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It was a good book for it's time. Some parts aged well and other parts could have been left out. 
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bhasknees's review against another edition

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

justlily's review against another edition

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2.0

It was a little long winded for the outcome being something I mostly suspected all along. I found the dialogue to be a little jarring too, how no one really seemed to speak or act their age. But I liked it enough to finish it so I guess that's something.

janeeyre1847's review against another edition

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5.0

SIAS: This honest, thoughtful story has great friendship, difficult sexual awakenings, exploration of truth, silver linings, and one of the best big sisters (half or otherwise) in all of fiction. -- One cliche, one 'and', and possibly a little exaggeration. But not really- Margaret Rose Kane absolutely deserves that title. Thank you (and rest in peace),E.L. Konigsburg, for this mystery-coming of age-lovely book.
(I really lost all credibility once I went beyond one sentence, but, well, this book deserves it, and I have no Branwell or Connor around to stop me.)

mbrandmaier's review against another edition

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4.0

Another book about lies.

hamckeon's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book and think middle schoolers would enjoy it as well. It covers real adolescent issues and an added twist due to the narrator's friend being put into a juvenile detention center for a possible crime that he won't speak about.

ckausch's review against another edition

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3.0

In Silent to the Bone, E. L. Konigsburg (author of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) examines communication in relationships, and what gets lost when we do not speak. The book opens with a mysterious 911 call. This call reveals that 13-year-old Branwell Zamborska is struck dumb during the same incident that puts Nikki, his baby half-sister, in a coma. The British au pair is the only other known person who witnessed the incident and can vocalize what happened, and her finger points the blame at Branwell. Connor Kane, Branwell’s best friend, is hesitant to believe that gentle, odd Branwell could hurt Nikki, and is determined to learn his side of the story, despite Branwell’s silence.

The mystery of the book alone will keep the pages turning. The reader pieces together clues alongside Connor and his older half-sister, Margaret. As they question different people in Branwell’s life, the reader begins to see what is hidden beneath his silence.

ninareads65's review against another edition

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4.0

A sad but hopeful tale of friendship, dedication and hope. Very touching.