Wonderstruck by Bryan Selznick

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What a unique book! Wonderstruck is geared towards grade levels 3-7, but I can see the size of this book intimidating many of the more reluctant student readers. However, this is where marketing by the school librarian would come into play. Students need to be made aware that this an example of a book that should not be judged by its size, or its cover. This novel would best be geared towards children who are looking for a more unique reading experience.  Another good audience for this book would be kids who solely read graphic novels. For these children Wonderstruck would work as a great bridge from graphic novels to help them become readers who enjoy more traditional non-illustrated novels and other works.

Children who are interested in becoming museum curators, artists, or book sellers would also enjoy this book. Or, if a child is/has been deaf or has a deaf family member, they would surely enjoy relating to the characters in Wonderstruck. This book would also appeal to any person who: enjoys historical fiction books set in New York, is interested in previous New York City World Fairs, is a fan of wolves, enjoys simple and elegant book illustrations, appreciates a good orphan story, or likes remarkably unusual books.

Brian Selznick is the author of Wonderstruck, and his personally illustrated books all seem to take a similar form. The Invention of Hugo Cabret, The Houdini Box, and The Marvels, are all written and contain similar pencil drawn illustrations by Selznick. It seems Selznick has found a unique niche in the illustrated book genre, and it has become quite popular.

Selznick, B. (2011). Wonderstruck. New York, NY: Scholastic. 

-Ms. J