Publication Date: September 2011
Publisher: Scholastic
Illustrated by: Brian Selznick
Pages: 640
Series: no
Acquisition: BEA 2011
Summary:
From Brian Selznick, the creator of the Caldecott Medal winner THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET, comes another breathtaking tour de force.
Playing with the form he created in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey
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. (from Goodreads)
I was: captivated from page one and I was very sorry to see this book end.
My thoughts:
If you're browsing through a bookstore or library and you see Wonderstuck on shelf, you might be tempted to pass it by. It's a hefty looking tome. 600 + pages and a hardcover to boot! However, you should, under no circumstances, walk away from this book. I assure you, once you have it in your hands - once you see the very first page - you will not be putting it down. You won't have a choice. It's coming home with you and you're going to read it all in one sitting. I promise you!
Wonderstuck is a visually stunning book with a powerful story to back it up. Not that the illustrations need any back up! They can very easily stand on their own. There are 2 stories being told here - one with pictures and one with words. It isn't until the end that everything is brought together. Such a heartfelt story with so much emotion behind every picture and every word.
A fantastic journey of the senses! If you've read Brain's previous book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, you should have a feel for what I'm talking about. (And if you haven't read it - do it now!). The same beauty exists within the pages of Wonderstruck. I found the same sense of awe and amazement and I loved it!
Final verdict:
Wonderstuck isn't a children's book or a young adult book it is simply a book. A book I would recommend to everyone as it should be read by everyone. I dare you to give it a try and not be affected.
Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars
Linkage Love:
Webstie
Goodreads
IndieBound
Brian Selzinck is officially one of my favorite authors. I loved this book as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of his books yet. (I know, I know.) But I will! I promise!
ReplyDelete