Wonderstruck

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Throughout the novel Rose’s character is depicted through drawings and through written letters addressed to her, rather than through dialogue.

• What does the reader learn about Rose from the context of her illustrations? (topic sentence)
• Explain why the author chose to draw Rose’s experience rather than write it, and what can be learned about Rose’s life in the drawings.
• In your concluding sentences, explain whether you believe the author made a good choice in depicting Rose through illustrations.

2. David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” is frequently mentioned in the novel.

• What does “Space Oddity” mean to Ben? (topic sentence)
• Describe why “Space Oddity” is important to Ben, whom Major Tom symbolizes to Ben, and how the overall meaning of the song relates to Ben’s feelings.
• In your concluding sentences explain whether you believe Ben will continue to use Major Tom to refer to the same person.

3. Many of the novel’s characters have a collection of items.

• What collections do each of the characters maintain? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Jenny, Janet, Ben’s mother, and other major characters have a collection of items and why they continue to keep those items.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how the items the characters keep contribute to what Ben describes as their “own cabinets of wonder.”

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Each character in this novel experiences loneliness in one way or another. How does loneliness influence the actions of Rose, Ben, and Jamie? How do the characters benefit from the actions they took? What are the consequences of their actions? Do you think the benefits of their actions outweigh the consequences? Why or why not?

2. How does Brian Selznick explore deafness and disability in this text? Though the characters are deaf in the novel, this doesn’t play a central role in the plot. Why do you think Selznick chose not to use deafness as something that defines the characters? How is there a shift in the characters' perspectives and understanding of their environments based on their deafness? Do you think Selznick does an accurate job of depicting the experiences of a deaf person in New York City?

3. Throughout the novel, the characters are looking for a place in which they belong. Why does Ben feel the need to find a place to belong? What causes Rose to feel as though she needs a place to belong? How does Jamie feel as though he does not belong? How do the three characters find a sense of belonging at the conclusion of the novel?