Dickens & Rumi
Cover of WONDERSTRUCK

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WONDERSTRUCK

Brian Selznick

In alternating stories told in words and pictures, children look for loved ones.

Ages 9+Source checked

Why this age? Best suited to middle-grade readers: the language and artwork are accessible, but parental death, loneliness, disability-related barriers, running away, and emotionally intense separation require some maturity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age9+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Romance1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

A parent’s death and the resulting grief strongly shape both protagonists’ lives and journeys. The deaths are handled sensitively and are not shown graphically.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Clean language throughout.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Not a focus of the plot.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Atmospheric tension as children find themselves lost in a city, but not intended to be frightening.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Contains brief, non-graphic moments related to runaways and accidents.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists face grief, isolation, disability barriers, and uncertainty with determination, though running away also creates real risks.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

Highly creative integration of narrative text and silent illustration.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Deaf protagonists and deaf community experiences are central, portrayed as part of the characters’ identities and agency rather than as side details.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

The book encourages learning about museums, art, natural history, deaf culture, communication, and life in different historical periods.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Care, friendship, mentorship, and practical support are important to the characters’ eventual sense of safety and belonging.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes value persistence, connection, accessibility, family, friendship, self-advocacy, and finding belonging after loss.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The young protagonists show significant resilience and curiosity.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in WONDERSTRUCK would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in WONDERSTRUCK, and what caused that change?
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Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

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Crispin: The Cross of LeadAvi · 2002Ages 12+ALCATRAZ VERSUS THE EVIL LIBRARIANSBrandon SandersonAges 9+Five Children and ItEdith Nesbit · 1905Ages 10+The Story of the AmuletEdith Nesbit · 1905Ages 10+

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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