The Harmonica
Charlesbridge · Print & ebook · July 1, 2008
A Historical Fiction pick for readers exploring The Harmonica.
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- Who it’s for
- A wartime story where music offers hope and comfort amid profound darkness.
- Themes
- Holocaust and survival, Hope through music, Family separation
- Genres
- Holocaust Stories, Music Stories, War & Military Stories
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For older readers: Once, Then, The Light in Hidden Places
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Start with this bookAbout this book
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.
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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.
Music in Darkness
A wartime story where music offers hope and comfort amid profound darkness.
Come here for
- The moving connection between music, family, and hope
- A story inspired by a Holocaust survivor’s life
Expect
- A stark wartime setting
- Luminous artwork that lets beauty show through the bleakness
Where it sits
| Holocaust Stories | 98% |
|---|---|
| War & Military Stories | 66% |
| Music Stories | 51% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Historical Europe
- Holocaust Stories
- Prejudice & Racism
- Authors
- Tony Johnston
- Publisher
- Charlesbridge
- Published
- July 1, 2008
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Holocaust and survival · Hope through music · Family separation
- Reading lane
- Historical Europe