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The Harmonica Paperback – Picture Book, July 1, 2008

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 156 ratings

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This powerful story, inspired by the life of a Holocaust survivor, is a testament to the human spirit and the transcendent power of music.

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.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tony Johnston is the author of over 100 books for children, including THE CAT WITH SEVEN NAMES and THE BARN OWLS. She lives in California.

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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 156 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
156 global ratings

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Customers 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.

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7 customers mention "Narrative style"7 positive0 negative

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

4 customers mention "Illustrations"4 positive0 negative

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

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2016
    Clear 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.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018
    As 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.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2013
    Picture 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.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014
    This 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, 2021
    Every child should read I used it in my classroom during our historical fiction unit
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2022
    Nice Book
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2013
    I 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.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2017
    Love 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.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Red Bus Book and Theatre Lover
    5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and true
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2018
    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. Crane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for all ages although younger children would need some ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2017
    Excellent for all ages although younger children would need some explanations along the way. Proved very good for WWll project work for school.
  • Susie Shoe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Less is more
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2014
    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.