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ECHO

ECHO

Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Genre: Historical Fiction
Award: Newbery Honor 
Grade: 5th grade and up


The story starts off with a boy named Otto, who got lost in the woods of Germany. He was found by three sisters who were forced to wander in the woods due to a curse. Before they left him, they gave him a magic harmonica as a gift. This harmonica was later seen in the hands of Fredrich, who is a boy living in the time of the Nazi. He was in fear of being taken away due to his deformities. The Harmonica then is seen with Mike. He is an orphan with a love for the piano but with a great fear of being separated from his brother, Frankie. Then lastly, the harmonica is seen with Ivy Lopez, living during the 1940’s in America. The only peace she felt was with her harmonica, because of the difficulties she was facing due to not being recognized as an American. This was a unique book that connected 4 children not through their plots but their desire to learn music.


Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan, was a good book with an interesting plot structure. It contained 4 different story lines that were all connected through a Harmonica. I really like this book and would recommend this to my students. The book is thick and I think the younger students will get overwhelmed but I will definitely recommend this to upper level students. There is really no illustration in this book but the design and cover is really pretty and simple. This book teaches the reader to encourage one's talent for it will flourish if it is acknowledged instead of taking it away to a person or a child. It is a heartfelt story that are combined together and make each of the characters memorable.
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