Teaching Guide: Silent To The Bone About The Book

Teaching Guide
SILENT TO THE BONE

By E. L. Konigsburg
ABOUT THE BOOK
On Wednesday, November 25, at 2:43 P.M. there is a 911 call made from
the Zamborska home on Tower Hill Road in Epiphany, New York. The
moment that thirteen-year-old Branwell Zamborska makes the call, he is
struck dumb, and the only thing the operator hears is a shout in the
background, "The baby won't wake up." That voice is Vivian Shawcurt, the
British au pair hired to care for Nikki, Branwell's baby half-sister. Unable to
relate anything about that day, Branwell is committed to the Clarion County
Juvenile Behavioral Center where it becomes apparent that no one but
Connor Kane, his best friend, can break through his silence. Though Vivian
has accused Branwell of dropping Nikki, Connor knows that his friend is
innocent. Connor, like Branwell, is extremely intelligent, and he calls upon
his cleverness to find a way to communicate with his friend. Day after day,
Connor visits Branwell, and using flash cards, he slowly begins to unravel
the mystery about that ill-fated day. Along the way, Margaret, Connor's
grown half-sister, helps him put together the pieces. The journey is difficult
for Connor and Branwell, but when it is all over, they have strengthened
their friendship and redefined the meaning of family.
DISCUSSION
Think about the qualities that define family. Compare and contrast the
Zamborska family to the Kane family. How does Branwell's relationship with
his father change after Tina, his stepmother, comes into their lives? Discuss
whether Dr. Zamborska's feelings for his son change, or whether he doesn't
know how to help Branwell make the transition to their new life.
Margaret Kane, Connor's older half-sister, understands Branwell's reaction to

Tina. How might Branwell and Margaret be considered "soul mates" ?
Margaret says, "I have no doubt that Dr. Zamborska is brilliant, but he is
also stupid." Why does Margaret think that Dr. Zamborska is "stupid" ?
Discuss why it sometimes takes an outsider like Margaret to identify the real
problems in a relationship.
Branwell visits "The Ancestors," his maternal grandparents, every summer.

What does his name for them say about their relationship? How do "The
Ancestors" contribute to Branwell's problems? Why does he feel so obligated
to them? "The Ancestors" make one lame attempt to help Branwell when he
is in the Clarion County Juvenile Behavioral Center by hiring a "big city"
lawyer. How does this show their inability to connect to his emotional needs?
Branwell communicates to Connor that he doesn't want to see his
grandparents while they are in town. Why does he want Connor to visit them
at the motel? How do "The Ancestors" provide clues about what happened to
Branwell?
Connor and Branwell have been friends since nursery school. Connor says, "I
don't think there is a why for friendship, and if I try to come up with reasons
why we should be friends, I can come up with as many reasons why we
should not be." Discuss whether true friendship requires a why. How might
Connor describe the why and the why not of his friendship with Branwell?
How does Connor's relationship with Branwell change when Vivian Shawcurt,
the English au pair, comes to the Zamborska house to care for Nikki?
Discuss why Dr. Zamborska thinks that Connor is the only person who can
break Branwell's silence. Connor says, "He [Branwell] made no sound but
was screaming on the inside." Why is Connor so sure that Branwell didn't
hurt Nikki, his baby sister?
Margaret says to Connor, "It's you he trusts. I'll be there for him when the
time is right, and I'll be here for you until then." How does Connor need
Margaret to help him unlock Branwell's silence? Discuss how Margaret helps
the entire Zamborska family heal.
What does Connor mean when he says that Branwell can't speak until "the
last layer is peeled away"? Discuss how Connor slowly peels away each
layer. What is the core of Branwell's problem? How is the title of the novel
symbolic of these layers?
Both Connor and Branwell experience an "adolescent infatuation" with

Vivian. It is normal for thirteen-year-old boys to experience sexual feelings.
How does Vivian manipulate the boys and encourage their infatuation?
Discuss how Margaret helps Connor realize Vivian's seductive nature. How
does Vivian use seduction as a weapon against Branwell? At what point does
Connor realize why Branwell is suffering?
Branwell's silence is described as a "weapon." Silence may be considered a

"weapon of defense" or a "weapon of aggression." Discuss how Branwell's
silence is both. Who and what is Branwell defending? Connor says, "I was
learning that silence could say a lot." How is Branwell saying more in silence
than he could if he were speaking?
Margaret tells Connor that people lie either out of fear or to protect
someone. Why does lying to protect someone take courage? How do
Margaret and Connor know that Morris, the deliveryman from JJ's Pizza, is
lying out of fear and to protect someone? Who is he protecting? Why is he
afraid?
Margaret quotes Robert Louis Stevenson, "The cruelest lies are often told in
silence." Discuss Branwell's "cruelest" lie. Why is Branwell afraid to tell the
truth? Branwell realizes that Vivian neglects Nikki. Discuss the difference
between neglect and abuse. Why is it important to report the first signs of
abuse and neglect?
Connor's efforts to help Branwell emerge from his silence might be

considered a journey of discovery. What does his journey reveal about
himself? How does Connor help Margaret heal family wounds? How do you
think Connor's discovery will change the Zamborska family? How does it
change his own family?
Discuss the structure of the novel. Why does "Days Before Day One" come
after "Days One, Two, & Three"? What is the significance of calling the last
chapter "Day One" ?
E. L. Konigsburg is noted for creating characters that are intelligent,

resourceful, and witty. How do Connor's and Branwell's intelligence and
resourcefulness get them through Branwell's deep silence? How does
Konigsburg use humor to relieve the emotional tension in the novel?
FURTHER READING AND EXPLORATION
Read Father's Arcane Daughter by E. L. Konigsburg and compare the

character of Caroline to Margaret in Silent to the Bone. How is Caroline's
technique for freeing Winston similar to Margaret's way of freeing Branwell?
Awards:
Edgar Allan Poe Award (Finalist)

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Teaching Guide

SILENT TO THE BONE

ABOUT THE BOOK

Margaret Kane, Connor's older half-sister, understands Branwell's reaction to

Branwell visits "The Ancestors," his maternal grandparents, every summer.

Both Connor and Branwell experience an "adolescent infatuation" with

Branwell's silence is described as a "weapon." Silence may be considered a

Connor's efforts to help Branwell emerge from his silence might be

E. L. Konigsburg is noted for creating characters that are intelligent,

FURTHER READING AND EXPLORATION

Read Father's Arcane Daughter by E. L. Konigsburg and compare the

Edgar Allan Poe Award (Finalist)

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