If someone told you that a Frenchman once wrote an entire book by
blinking his left eye while someone recited the alphabet, would you
believe him? Well, in SILENT TO THE BONE, knowing that fact comes
in handy when Connor has to find a way to communicate with his best
friend Branwell. You see, Branwell cannot talk. He's also had a recent
change of address --- from his home, to the County Juvenile Behavioral
Center.
It
all began with a 911 call. Branwell dialed the phone, but then wasn't
able to tell the operator that his baby half-sister was breathing
funny and wouldn't wake up --- he was struck mute. Vivian, the au
pair hired to take care of the baby, told the emergency workers
that Nikki had been dropped and shaken…by Branwell. Luckily, Connor
doesn't believe that his friend did it --- he knows that Branwell
loves his new sister too much. So begins Connor's detective work.
With Branwell giving him people to talk to and clues to investigate
(by way of flashcards and blinks, or course), and with the help
of his adult half-sister Margaret, Connor begins to unravel the
roots of Branwell's silence. But will it be enough to bring Nikki
out of her coma and Branwell out of his isolation?
Konigsburg's
newest book is much more than a mystery story. Her characters are
wonderfully drawn, and explore real human emotions that are difficult
both to understand and to experience. The reader gets the feeling
that Konigsburg has not lost touch with what it was like to be an
adolescent.
Silence
can be a golden opportunity to listen and learn, or a way of hiding
from the truth. One fantastic read!
---
Reviewed by Betsy Pabrinkis
