The Boneshaker

Milford, K. (2010). The boneshaker. New York: Clarion Books.

ISBN: 9780547550046 | hardback | 372 p. | $17.00 USD

Cover image courtesy of goodreads.com

Annotation: When Jake Limberleg brings his traveling medicine show to a small Missouri town in 1913, thirteen-year-old Natalie senses that something is wrong and, after investigating, learns that her love of automata and other machines make her the only one who can set things right.

Book Talk:  If you sense in your bones something is just not right, what do you do?  How far would you go to uncover the truth?  Natalie has an uncanny feeling the traveling medicine show that has arrived in her small Missouri town is not what it seems. Townspeople seem fooled, but Natalie finds it odd that her mini-automaton suddenly works in the presence of the show’s doctor, Dr. Jake Limberleg.  As she follows her suspicions, she discovers a truth that threatens her hometown, leading to an epic battle for survival.  Don’t miss your chance to stare evil in the eye. Read The Boneshaker.

My favorite thing about the book:

The steampunk elements keep it fresh and hip, while the sketchlike pen-and-ink illustrations add to the book’s old timely feel.

First Sentence:

“Strange things can happen at a crossroads.”

Favorite character:

Natalie

Awards/Honors:

VOYA Top of the Top Shelf Pick 2010

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011)

Recommended Reading List for the 2010 Locus Award for Young Adult Fiction

Learn More:

Check out the author's website for great tidbits and more resources about topics in The Boneshaker.

Feast your eyes on this great old-timey poster featuring Dr. Limberleg's traveling medicine show!

Don’t miss this book trailer for The Boneshaker created by graduate students.