Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg

Konigsburg, E.L. Silent to the Bone.

Simon Pulse; 2004,

ISBN: 0689867158.

Reader’s Annotation

Conner can’t believe that his best friend Branwell dropped his baby half-sister like they say he did, but Branwell isn’t saying much to defend himself—in fact he can’t speak at all.

Plot Summary

Something terrible has happened to Conner’s best friend Branwell Zamborska.  Branwell has been accused of dropping his baby sister Natalie (also known as Nikki).  The story opens with the 911 call on Wednesday, November 25, 2:43 P.M., Eastern Standard Time.  You hear the dispatcher, then silence.  Suddenly, a Vivian, the English au pair, grabs the phone and tells the operator that the baby is unconscious—“He dropped her!”  From that time on, Branwell is struck mute.  He is taken into custody, and placed in a juvenile detention facility while the prosecutors figure out how to charge him.  Conner visits Branwell, but Branwell still doesn’t speak.  Told through the eyes of Conner, the story goes on to describe how Conner starts investigating the incident on his own.  He even devises a way to “communicate” with Branwell—or actually, Branwell gives Conner some strange, cryptic clues.  With the help of his 20-year-old half sister Margaret, Conner diligently follows the leads to find the truth behind what really happened.

Critical Evaluation

In Silent to the Bone, Konigsburg brilliantly weaves a suspenseful, intriguing story.  The plight of Branwell, who is so traumatized that he cannot even defend himself, along with the tragedy of a comatose six-month-old baby, combine to become a gripping novel that will keep readers riveted to the very last page.  Conner and Branwell share another connection—they are both part of tense, step-family situations.  Konigsburg has a knack for strategically placing critical details in the narrative that provide the reader with enough information that they are right with Conner in his investigation.  This is the kind of novel that will make you want to go back and read it again to pick up the clues you missed the first time around.

Information about the Author

E.L. Konigsburg earned her degree at Carnegie-Mellon University, and did graduate work in organic chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.  She taught science for several years at a private girls’ school. Konigsburg started writing when her youngest child went to kindergarten.  Konigsburg is the only author ever to have won the Newbery Medal and be a runner-up in the same year.  That year, 1968, she earned the medal for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and her novel, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, was named an honor book.

Genre

Mystery

Suspense

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk Ideas

1. Why do you think that someone who goes through something tragic can sometimes not be able to speak?
2. Discuss the friendship between Conner and Branwell.

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (ages 13 +)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Sexuality

• Present the library’s selection policy
• Be familiar with similar works in the collection
• Refer to ALA Intellectual Freedom resources

Why I included this work

This was one of the most surprisingly suspenseful books I have read.

Awards and Honors include:

• Edgar Award Nominee (Young Adult, 2001)
• Booklist Editors’ Choice
• ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2001)
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (2001)
• Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Book
• ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

Great Quote from the Book:

"'It's obvious that there was someone else in the room than Branwell and Vivian,' said Margaret."