The Harmonica
by Tony Johnston
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Book Summary Information
Author: Tony JohnstonIllustrator: Ron Mazellan
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2004-02
ISBN: 1570915474
Number of pages: 32
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Book Reviews of The Harmonica
Book Review: The Harmonica
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is essentially an earnest and well-illustrated poem, although it is difficult to imagine who might ever choose to read it. It falls under the category of "Illustrated Books About the Holocaust", but it is too depressing for youngsters, and too obscure for older students. The notes at the end tell us that the book was inspired by the true story of Henryk Rosmaryn, who survived a concentration camp with the help of his talent on the harmonica. The poem that constitutes this story relates the sorrowful tale of a contented, poor, but musical family that is destroyed by the Holocaust. Most of the lines are bleak, such as:
"Often, to keep from losing hope, I touched the harmonica,
cold inside my pocket.
I wept when I thought of my father and mother.
I awoke jolted from sleep. And I knew--
My parents were dead.
Then I played Shubert.
Played and played while my heart reeled.
The boy in the story plays Shubert on his harmonica for the camp commandant, who tosses him bread, and thus he manages to stay alive. There is also the hope that the boy's music has also managed to uplift the spirits of other prisoners at the camp. The illustrations are well done but dark, especially the painting of the commandant with his black dogs and whip. In general, a curious choice for publication in a genre that is saturated with too many dreary books of this kind. Recommended only for ages 12 -up who are interested in the Holocaust.
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