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The Harmonica Paperback – Picture Book, July 1, 2008
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When the Nazis invaded Poland, a family is split apart. The parents are sent to one concentration camp, their son to another. Only his father's gift, a harmonica, keeps the boy's hopes alive and, miraculously, ensures his survival. When an officer discovers his talent, he makes the boy play each night. Through music the boy invokes his parents and brings comfort to the other prisoners, lifting their spirits if only for a moment at time.
Ron Mazellan's luminous artwork depicts the bleakness of the time, while letting the beauty that hope can bring through the darkness shine.
- Reading age7 - 10 years
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level3 - 5
- Lexile measure620L
- Dimensions8.5 x 0.13 x 11 inches
- PublisherCharlesbridge
- Publication dateJuly 1, 2008
- ISBN-101570914893
- ISBN-13978-1570914898
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About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Charlesbridge; Reprint edition (July 1, 2008)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1570914893
- ISBN-13 : 978-1570914898
- Reading age : 7 - 10 years
- Lexile measure : 620L
- Grade level : 3 - 5
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.13 x 11 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #387,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the narrative style meaningful and emotional, creating a fantastic introduction to this sensitive and difficult subject. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations that bring the story firsthand. The book is described as amazing, terrific, and wonderful for teaching the Holocaust.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the narrative style engaging and emotional. They describe the story as a delicately told yet thought-provoking tale with simple yet thought-provoking settings. The book provides a fantastic introduction to a sensitive and difficult subject with clear historical fiction text based on true events.
"...I read it with my fifth graders and it led to a great discussion since the details and setting are so simple, yet thought-provoking." Read more
"This is a sad story but one that is delicately told. The illustrations are amazing...." Read more
"...They brought meaning to the story and created an emotional tone that students were able to recognize...." Read more
"...The story was ok." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's illustrations. They find them beautiful and vivid, with a relatable narrator.
"...fiction text (mostly based on true events) with a relatable narrator; vivid and descriptive language...." Read more
"This is a sad story but one that is delicately told. The illustrations are amazing...." Read more
"This book is exceptional. The illustrations are beautiful and give another first hand experience of the Holocaust...." Read more
"Effective illustrations..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2016Clear historical fiction text (mostly based on true events) with a relatable narrator; vivid and descriptive language. I read it with my fifth graders and it led to a great discussion since the details and setting are so simple, yet thought-provoking.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018As a World War 2 infantry soldier and a harmonica player I find this book both heart wrenching and wonderful. My friends who died perhaps helped save the little boy by ending the war sooner. I was captured by the words "somewhere in the heart of the harmonica my mouth had found Schubert". I have felt that about the harmonica, that the music is in there waiting to be found. Sometimes I speak to high school and middle school students on Veterans Day. If that happens again I will read the story to them, including the short biography of Henryk at the end.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2013Picture books can often be read on multiple levels. The Harmonica falls into this category. Primary audiences will be able to see the horrors of the Holocaust through the eyes of the main character, an orphan who is forced to play his harmonica to appease the commandant of a concentration camp. This audience will also appreciate the way the boy is able to derive something positive from an abhorrent situation. This could easily lead to discussions relating to good vs. evil and how people can make a difference by making positive choices.Sometimes small gestures can have profound effects. An older audience will be better able to grasp some of the complexities of the Holocaust. The illustration of the commandant holding the whip while he enjoys the music demonstrates one of these dichotomies. Older readers will likewise be better able to grasp the underling reasons for the Holocaust and the behavior exhibited by the Nazis.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014This is a sad story but one that is delicately told. The illustrations are amazing. The color and sensitivity of each page tells the story in a griping way.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2021Every child should read I used it in my classroom during our historical fiction unit
- Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2022Nice Book
- Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2013I used the book in middle school language arts classes and the kids commented mostly on the illustrations. They brought meaning to the story and created an emotional tone that students were able to recognize.
The story itself is similar to many from the Holocaust, but it is unique in it's own way and touching to adults as well as children.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2017Love this book. Beautiful companion piece to The Book Thief. I'm a teacher, and this book caught the kids' hearts and helped them see how music is the universal voice, much like the role of the accordion in The Book Thief.
Top reviews from other countries
- Red Bus Book and Theatre LoverReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and true
Excellent picture book for upper primary school - dark colour palette reflects the horror of the time. Children may be reassured to know the boy did survive (and you can even find him as an older man on YouTube talking of his experience and playing his harmonica).
- M. CraneReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for all ages although younger children would need some ...
Excellent for all ages although younger children would need some explanations along the way. Proved very good for WWll project work for school.
- Susie ShoeReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Less is more
This is a simple story read in minutes, but a poignant reminder of human endurance and spirit in the face of overwhelming suffering and cruelty.