Charlotte's Web, The Wizard of Oz, The Secret Garden . . . Classic children's books stay with us long into adulthood. And when we grow up, we switch to reading only books written for adults, whether they will be considered classics or not. More's the pity, because most adults end up missing out on some wonderful new titles being written for their children and grandchildren. Brian Selznick's new book Wonderstruck is just such a book. A talented writer and artist whose groundbreaking book The Invention of Hugo Cabret was awarded the Caldecott medal in 2008, Selznick has gone one better than that with his new title. It's a masterpiece of story and story-though-pictures, with so many supporting details woven seamlessly into the overarching storyline that the term "genius" comes to mind to describe the vision that brought forth this book.
Get yourself in line for a copy of Wonderstruck and plan to spend an evening (or two, maybe) being entralled by this masterful storyteller. If you have children third grade or older, read it together. Let them interpret, analyze and pore over the pictures that tell Rose's story, and you can be the narrator of Ben's life. You'll all be richer for the experience.
(The Indianola Public Library has two copies of this book in the New Juvenile Fiction section. You may have to place a hold to ensure your chance to check it out. It's a quick read so you shouldn't have to wait too long!)
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