By Brian Selznick
Settings
 Hoboken, New Jersey 1927
 New York, New York 1927
 American Museum of Natural History 1927
 Gunflint Lake, Minnesota 1977
 New York, New York 1977
 American Museum of Natural History 1977
 Kincaid Books 1977
 Queens Museum of Art 1977
Characters
Ben-Ben was born deaf in one ear. His
mom died in a car crash and he never
knew his father. One day he had his ear to
the phone, his house got struck by
lightning, and he was then deaf is both
ears.
Characters
Rose-Rose was born deaf. Her parents are
divorced. She lives with her dad and her
mom is a popular actress. Her brother is
a lot older than she is (I don’t know how
much older) and is living in New York.
Characters
Less main characters:
• Jamie-Ben’s friend
• Robby-Ben’s cousin
• Aunt Jenny-Ben’s aunt
• Uncle Steve-Ben’s uncle
• Janet-Ben’s cousin
• Lillian Mayhew-Rose’s mom
• Roses dad
• Walter-Rose’s brother
Problem
Ben- Ben doesn’t know anything about his father
and after his mom dies in a car crash, he finds a
clue about him in his mom’s room. He tried
calling the number he found, but his house was
struck by lightning when he had his ear to the
phone. He wakes up in a hospital deaf. After a
couple of weeks he runs away to New York to
find his father. He meets a boy named Jamie
who shows him the American Museum of Natural
History.
Problem
Rose-Rose is born deaf and her parents are
divorced. Her mom is an actress so she runs
away to Ney York to see her. When she finds
her, her mom locks her in her dressing room.
Rose escapes and goes to the American
Museum of Natural History to find her brother.
Events
 Ben’s house gets struck by lightning
 Ben runs away to New York
 Ben meets his grandmother
 Rose runs away to Ney York
 Rose goes t the American Museum of Natural History
 Rose gets taken home by her brother, Walter
Solution
Ben-Ben goes to the only Kincaid book store
left and meets his grandmother (which is
Rose). She tells him that his father died
when he was very young. So, Ben decides to
stay with his grandmother instead of his
aunt and uncle.
Solution
Rose-Rose gets taken home by her brother
and decides to stay with him in New York.
50 years later, she meets Ben.
Ben’s story is told in words and
Roses story is told is pictures.