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Lost in the Black Forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and finds himself entwined in a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica--and decades later three children, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find themselves caught up in the same thread of destiny in the darkest days of the twentieth century, struggling to keep their families intact, and tied together by the music of the same harmonica.
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Publisher:
New York, NY : Scholastic Press, [2015]
Edition:
First edition
ISBN:
9780545576505
0545576504
0545576504
Branch Call Number:
E-BOOK
Characteristics:
1 online resource (585 pages)
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pink_butterfly_4841
Apr 24, 2017
pink_butterfly_4841 thinks this title is suitable for 10 years and over
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blue_dog_20608
Feb 19, 2016
blue_dog_20608 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 10 and 90
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blue_horse_1708
Feb 11, 2016
blue_horse_1708 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 9 and 99
Quotes
Add a Quote“Music does not have a race or a disposition!
... Every instrument has a voice that contributes. Music is a universal language...Music surpasses all distinctions between people.”
“Mrs. Potter said you were a kind and loving soul, underneath all the rest. I guess that means your heart's so sad that it's hard to get out from under the weight. When I was sad about my mother dying, Granny used to say grief is the heaviest thing to carry alone. So I know all about that."
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Add a CommentA book so touching, the characters and story will linger long after the last page. In today's tumult, this is a book that reminds us that without music, there would be little beauty. An endearing read!
Echo was a long book but was worth every page! Every perspective was carefully crafted and different to each extent. The background story was well thought out too, and this lead to a continuous unique setting for all three POV’s. Some stories were set in World War 2 whereas each one was different and the characters faced different issues and complications in their lives. A great novel for anyone who is into a mysterious and more complex novel, and also for all music lovers! The harmonica is one of the most important factors of this book and the musical aspect was presented nicely. The characters are sure to stay with you forever! Rating 4/5
- @jewelreader of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library
Hands down one of the best audiobooks ever produced. I was enchanted by the interwoven music and am now in love with the harmonica! This beautiful book explores some fairly dark themes and events that have happened in history with WWII, and it will easily be a catalyst for discussing these events with parents and classmates.
My favorite children's novel of 2015 seamlessly interweaves a fairy tale into historical fiction, telling the story of three children and their families, in different parts of the world, at different times, whose lives are all changed for the better by a harmonica. Recommended for children, teens, and adults who enjoy complicated stories and sagas.
A lovely story about the power of music to get people through difficult times. Set against the back drop of WWII, a harmonica makes its way from Germany to the United State and through the hands of three very different children. Excellent on audio because of the aye ion the producers paid to replicating the harmonica music described in the text.
I really liked this book! I loved how the story built up and the end of each part left me hanging until the end
A magical harmonica takes us from the land of fairy tales to a series of interconnected tales in the very real world of the the depression and World War II. Each tale stops at a critical moment that leaves the reader wanting more and they all fit nicely together at the end. this book hooked me and kept my interest.
Amazing story! So magical... I was sorry when it ended. 6th grade up.
A book of stories connected by a thread of magic. A thread that takes the form of a magical harmonica. A harmonica that embodies the magic of music. A magic that isn't really magical, because it's created by the characters in the form of their music, perseverance, compassion, and adherence to ideals.
The book is framed by two brief stories, one a fairy tale and one about a young German boy who wanders into the fairy tale. The first of the longer stories follows young Friedrich in 1933, part of a German family not willing to join the Nazi party when other options are becoming scarce. The second is set in rural Pennsylvania in 1935, and follows brothers Mike and Frankie as they try desperately to escape the orphanage where they've landed. The third follows Ivy and her Latino family as they try to farm their way out of poverty in Southern California in 1942, and the Japanese family that might offer a route.
Each story is suspenseful and engaging. Each character faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles imposed by larger forces. Each tale ends on a dark cliffhanger--though there is a short fourth part which I won't describe that provides connection and resolution. And each protagonist is a gifted musician hoping music might provide a way out of the darkness, with a theme song for each of their sections.
I'm particularly glad that I listened to the audio version of this book, because a large cast of musicians provided the music the characters played throughout the book. It is an excellent production.
I wasn't quite enchanted enough to say that this book is magical, but it comes awfully close. Bravo! 4.5 stars.
Such a great book. I can't say that enough. I cried at the end