Silent to the Bone is a young adult mystery novel by E. L. Konigsburg

E. L. Konigsburg

Elaine Lobl Konigsburg is an American author and illustrator of children's books and young adult fiction. She is one of five authors to win two Newbery Medals, awarded annually for one contribution to American children's literature.Her first two manuscripts were submitted to editor Jean E...

, published in 2000.

Plot summary

Silent to the Bone is a mystery written from the point of view of a 13 year old boy named Connor Kane. In the beginning, Connor's friend Branwell Zamborska is accused of dropping and injuring his baby sister, Nicole, or Nikki. After this incident, Branwell is struck dumb. Connor is certain that there is a reason behind Branwell's silence, and trusts that Branwell did not hurt Nikki, but because Branwell is in a behavioral center, accused of a terrible crime and is unable to speak for himself, Connor has to find a way to communicate to Branwell, and must solve the case with the help of his half sister Margaret, using Branwell's obscure clues.

Ways of communication

Throughout the book, Connor and Branwell develop a new way of sign language

Sign language

A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...

, taken from a Frenchman who had a paralyzed right eye and arms. Connor would say a letter out for him, and if that was the letter he wanted, he double-blinked. They also used flash cards to help Branwell give clues to prove himself innocent and to reveal more evidence. At the end of the book, Branwell breaks his silence and regains speech capabilities.

Themes

The School Library Journal

School Library Journal

The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...

outlined the themes of the novel: "Part detective and suspense story, this multilayered novel is much more, touching on themes of communication, relationships in blended families, being different, friendship, adolescence, and shame".

Reception

The book Silent to the Bone's reception among children is generally poor, with dull, simplistic overtones and themes. The book's characters are considered by many to be unrealistic and irritating and the metaphors are at best nonsensical. (Particular emphasis should be given to the infamous osu buco metaphor p.69) The characters are viewed as quite dull (with the exception of Branwell and Margaret) and the book seems to confuse audiences about who they are targeting due to the very mature themes involved (viagra example p. 225). The book is often viewed of failing to explain certain plot lines and expects you to fill them in.