ECHO by Pam Muñoz Ryan is a beautifully written circular novel tracing the lives of people who come in contact with a unique harmonica.
Crossing two continents, the inter-connected stories weave the theme of music into compelling stories focusing on discrimination, injustice, and hope.
Written for ages 9 through 14, the novel will appeal to a broad cross-section of readers including those who enjoy historical fiction, fairy tales, and a hint of fantasy. Teachers will enjoy the connections to historical events including the Holocaust in Germany and the Japanese Internment in the United States during World War II.
Although it’s a sizable book, the engaging short stories, well-developed characters, and engaging writing style will keep readers spellbound from beginning to end. Librarians are likely to find this book on the “best of 2015” lists.
To learn more about the author, go to http://www.pammunozryan.com/.
For a discussion guide, go to http://goo.gl/C8Q6lf.
Published by Scholastic, February 2015.
