Books are special to the characters in Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick—and Wonderstruck is a special book itself. Celebrate reading and the importance of books with this sharing activity.

What it teaches: Expository writing, speaking and listening

What you need: Favorite stories, pen and paper

What to do:

1. In Wonderstruck, Ben discovers a book called Wonderstruck that explains the history of museums. Talk with students about that book. Why is it special to Ben? Why does he instantly feel connected to it? When and where does the book appear throughout the story?
    
2. Ask students to think of a book that is important to them. It could be fiction or nonfiction, a book they’ve read recently or a preschool favorite. Why is the book special? Who introduced the book to them? Does the book have any inscriptions or notes written in the margins? Have children write a paragraph explaining why the book matters to them.
    
3. Next, invite children to bring in their chosen books from home or from the library. Display the books on a shelf and have students take turns explaining why they chose their particular stories. Encourage students to showcase anything special about the physical book itself—turned corners, highlighted pages, or stamped library cards.
    
4. Finally, talk about Wonderstruck as a physical object (the book, not the book-within-the-book). How is it different from other books? How do the page turns help tell the story? Could the book be read electronically? Why or why not? Invite students to share any concluding thoughts on books as special objects.