Book 4: Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg

OK, I swear I'm not purposefully picking books in which the main characters stop talking-it's a coincidence.

I'll give a little synopsis, per usual:
Branwell Zamborska's baby sister (Nikki) has slipped into a coma. Branwell calls 911, but when they pick up he cannot speak. Vivian Shawcurt, the "au pair" from England takes over. She tells them that Branwell dropped Nikki and shook her. Nikki's taken to the hospital, and Branwell to the Juvenile Behavioral Center. Dr. Zamborska (Branwell's dad) asks Connor-the best friend-to visit Branwell, to try and break the silence, to try and figure out what happened. Branwell loves Nikki, so why would he hurt her? It just doesn't add up. Connor eventually finds a means of communication wtih Branwell and with the help of Margaret (Connor's older sister), he begins to investigate the evens leading up to the silence. He slowly discovers what Branwell's problems were and what really happened the day Nikki was hospitalized.

Key themes that emerge in this book are: friendship, communication, blended families, growing up, shame, loyalty, and trust.

This book was OK. Not the best I've read, but certainly not the worst. It's pretty easy as far as vocabulary and comprehension goes-but don't get that confused with dull, which it is not. One of the more unique aspects of the book is the relationships within both Branwell and Connor's families-both boys are members of families where there are step-parents. The book does a decent job of describing the relationships within these families-both the good and bad parts. I also like the book because you really gain a sense of the deepness of the friendship between Branwell and Connor, just two average teenage boys-not superstar athletes, valedictorians, or outstanding providers of community service-just two boys growing up together and dealing with life.

While it would be awesome to buy every book I like, let's be realistic-I may not land a job that pays a ton of money...in fact, it's likely I won't...I guess what I'm trying to get at is I don't think I would buy this particular book to keep in my office, but definitely something I could recommend to be checked out of a library if I think the student would enjoy it and/or get something out of it. Since there's not a lot of profanity and only minor hints to sexuality, I think it could be used in a classroom-but I'll leave that decision up to the English teachers.