The Marvels
by Brian Selznick · Grade 4-7 · Ages Ages 10-14
This book begins with a wordless picture story about the Marvel family, a line of actors with a dramatic past. Then, in 1990, a boy named Joseph runs away to his mysterious uncle’s house in London, where he finds clues that may connect to the Marvels.
Key vocabulary
A marvel is something that makes you feel wonder or surprise. It can be something amazing or hard to believe.
A theater is a place where people perform plays or shows. It can also mean the art of acting on a stage.
A portrait is a picture of a person. It usually shows their face and what they look like.
Something mysterious is hard to understand or explain. It makes you curious and want to learn more.
A shipwreck happens when a ship is badly broken or sinks. It can happen during a storm or accident at sea.
A generation is a group of people in a family born around the same time. Grandparents, parents, and children are different generations.
An heirloom is a special object passed down in a family. It might be old, precious, or full of memories.
A legacy is something important left behind by someone from the past. It might be a story, a gift, or a family tradition.