Caledonia Skytower reads Pam Muñoz Ryan’s Newbery Honour
novel. Three entwined stories focusing on a magical harmonica, which start with
the tale of 12-year-old German boy Friedrich. He dreams of being a conductor;
so much so that he cannot stop his hands rising to guide the music only he can
hear. Such public displays, coupled with the birthmark which disfigures half
his face leads to him being shunned and regarded as his peers as being Monster
Boy.
Faced with this, and the rising threat of Hitler’s National
Socialists, Friedreich is determined to gain entry to the local music
conservatory, but while preparing for his all-important audition, he happens
across the harmonica. Playing it, he gains strength and courage to face those
who shun him and the rise of Hitler’s power. But as each day brings some new
threat, the chances of Friedrich achieving his dream, or even keeping his
family together, grow more and more faint.
Richly imagined and masterfully crafted, this impassioned,
uplifting, and virtuoso tour de force will resound in your heart long after the
last note has been struck.
