The Boneshaker

Milford, Kate. 2010. THE BONESHAKER. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 0547241879 [Suggested Grade Levels 6-9]

REVIEW
Strange things can happen at a crossroads as readers learn in Kate Milford’s THE BONESHAKER. Can a young girl, Natalie Minks, with a little help from her friends, save the town of Arcane, Missouri, from a horrible fate? When a traveling medicine show comes to town promising great things—cures for all ailments—many of the town believe. But Natalie and a few others suspect that all is not as it appears. So begins Natalie’s search for the truth—a search that will lead her into danger and great adventure. For Natalie’s adversary is one of man’s oldest: the devil himself.

THE BONESHAKER is historical fantasy at its best. It is rich in quirky characters and atmospheric details. Kate Milford is a gifted storyteller.

CONNECTIONS
Listen to Charlie Daniels’ song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Discuss the images on the book cover. Do you think the cover does the book justice?

Storytelling is important in THE BONESHAKER. How does hearing her mother’s stories prepare Natalie for the adventure ahead? Could Natalie have saved the town without believing in her mother’s stories?

RELATED BOOKS
Other books with the devil as adversary:
Gidwitz, Adam. A TALE DARK AND GRIMM. ISBN 0525423346
Napoli, Donna Jo. THE WAGER. ISBN 0805087818

Other fantasy novels:
Bradbury, Ray. SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. ISBN 0380977273

By Becky Laney