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What Members Thought

I absolutely loved this book! I admired the author's skill in merging the fairy tale with history. I was deeply touched by the strength exhibited by the juvenile characters in dealing with the adversities they faced. The music that accompanied the audio version was a bonus that added a heart-warming atmosphere and bound the stories together.
This is the second time reading this book and I loved it even more than the first as I gained more insight into the details of each story and a greater appre ...more
This is the second time reading this book and I loved it even more than the first as I gained more insight into the details of each story and a greater appre ...more

Long, but well worth it. Beautifully written! This is really three separate books tied together with a thread of magic, a harmonica, and the love of music. Now I need to pull out my harmonica and see if I can remember how to play it! This won a Newbery Honor in 2016.

I loved everything about this book: the characters, the 5 different stories, the music and especially the ending. Each time the story shifted to a new character, I was nervous that I wouldn't fall in love with this new character, but that was never the case. Ryan crafted characters and stories that I quickly became attached to and didn't want to leave. Side note: the audiobook version was fantastic and highly recommend. All the stars.
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Listen to this one if you can! The musical excerpts add a lot to the tone of the story. Part fable, part historical fiction and all magical. The characters' stories are a reminder that our lives are intertwined and connected in ways we don't see.
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Very nicely put together and touching. Listened to the audio book. I can't put my finger on it but I feel I'm missing something that I could get by reading a print version.
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Mar 24, 2015
Sue
marked it as 00-to-read-list-1

Dec 02, 2015
Cora
marked it as tbr-on-hand
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review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
kindle,
magical-realism,
young-adult,
historical-fiction,
juvenile,
music,
california,
award-winner

Feb 21, 2016
Erika
marked it as to-read

Aug 22, 2016
Katlyn
marked it as to-read

May 20, 2018
Rebekah
marked it as to-read

May 14, 2020
Carrie
marked it as to-read

Apr 11, 2023
Wendy Eley
marked it as to-read