Echo
Pam Munoz Ryan, Author
Scholastic Press, Fiction, Feb. 24, 2015
Winner of the 2016 Newbery Honor
Suitable for Ages: 10-14
Themes: Harmonica, Music, Destiny, Nazi Germany, Pennsylvania orphans, Mexican-Americans, WW II, Japanese-Americans, Family relationship
Opening: “FIFTY YEARS BEFORE THE WAR TO END ALL wars, a boy played hide-and-seek with his friends in a pear orchard bordered by a dark forest.”
Synopsis: Otto runs into the forbidden forest to hide from his friends. He becomes lost and is rescued by three sisters who are imprisoned in a circle of trees by a witch’s spell. The sisters are musical and they each impart a different tune into Otto’s harmonica. He promises to help free them by carrying their harmony out into the world and passing the harmonica along to other musicians who will add their musical gift. Decades later, the harmonica graces the lives of three children who are living in horrific situations: Friedrich, who has a birthmark and doesn’t fit in 1933 Nazi Germany; Mike and his little brother Frankie, who are finding a way to survive a deplorable orphanage during the depression in Pennsylvania; and Ivy, a Mexican-American girl in California, whose brother is a soldier and her family is caring for a farm left by a Japanese family who is sent to an internment camp.
Each child is already musically talented and they become linked together as destiny places Otto’s harmonica into their hands. They each recognize that the harmonica is powerful and like no other instrument they’ve heard before. Playing it brings each of them courage, hope and joy during dire times. The thread that binds them together comes together in a magnificent ending.
Why I like this book:
- Pam Munoz Ryan literally sweeps me off my feet with her thrilling and brilliant storytelling. Her writing is polished, her narrative inspires one to believe in the power of music to heal and change lives, and her plot is complex.
- Ryan thinks outside the box as she writes her masterpiece, Echo. Although there is an element of fantasy in Echo, I am delighted that the book is a great work of historical fiction that will engage many teens. It focuses on Hitler’s Nazi Germany, the Great Depression, Mexican-American itinerate farmers, World War II, and the anti-Japanese sentiment in America.
- The author led me to care about four very different and memorable characters in a very human way. The book begins and ends with a fairy tale with Otto’s encounter with three mysterious sisters. The novel is told in three parts, each devoted to Friedrich, Mike and Ivy’s stories. The children face dire challenges as they struggle to keep their families together: rescuing a father from prison, protecting a brother in an orphanage, and dealing with poverty, discrimination and keeping a family together. The author builds tension and momentum by leaving their stories unfinished, until the story comes full circle.
- I am a musician, so the idea of a harmonica infused with the melodious spirits of the three sisters captivated me and I wondered how it would play out in the story. Each of the three children add their own energy and wisdom to the harmonica as they play it and pass it along. The thread that ties their destiny together is revealed at the end in a resounding crescendo that is spellbinding and beautiful. This novel captures my heart and I will read it again.
Pam Munoz Ryan is the author of over thirty books. Her most recent novels include the award-winning The Dreamer and Esperanza Rising. She is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Human and Civil Rights Award and the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for multicultural literature. You may visit Ryan at her website.
Check other Middle Grade review links on author Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.
Children's Books Heal 
I am dying to read this book. It’s next on my list after I finish reading Pax. Wonderful review, Pat!
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Believe me, it will hook you from page one. I loved this novel! Brilliant!
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Can’t wait to read it.
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Yes, I definitely must find this book. The haunting title alone hooked me. Great review, Pat!. Thanks for sharing.
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Another book that is magical realism. But, this involves a lot of historical fiction. I loved this book so much. It’s also on audio tape.
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After reading this review, Echo has shot to the top of my “must read” list. Snapshots of three children facing such terrible life situations with music as a salve for each sounds amazing. No wonder it’s a Newbury Honor book. Thanks so much for reviewing it!
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It is a thrilling read and you won’t want to put it down! I really loved this book as it so brilliantly written.
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I’ve had this one on my list of books to read for some time. After reading your review it’s evident the story shouldn’t stay there any longer. So many good plot lines weaving there way for readers. Thanks for the nudge.
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I thought for sure that you had probably reviewed Echo, due to the release. I know you will love the story and looking at Ryan’s style. Very unique book.
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I’ve heard about this book for a while, so I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks for the review!
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Once you start reading, you will swiftly turn the pages. It is such a brilliant book, worthy of the Newbery.
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It sounds fascinating…very different!
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Echo is one of my very favorite reads this year. I like the mix of magic and realism (historical fiction). It is such a unique book.
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Loved this book. So many layers!
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Yes, it is multi-layered. I want to read it again at another time!
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Wow! This book covers a lot of territory! Love historical fiction and also love Ryan’s books. Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for sharing a great post!
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This is one of my favorite novels this year! Ryan’s writing and storytelling is brilliant!
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This sounds like a powerful book. I like the idea that real historic events are part of the story. Must look out for this one. A great review Pat.
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I highly recommend this book. It is large, but a quick read. It will engage you from page one. And, you will enjoy the author’s writing style and magnificent storytelling.
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Sounds like it is an appropriate Newbery honor winner. Will have to read it.
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It deserved the Newbery Award. It is an exciting read! I hope you read ECHO.
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I found this utterly gripping and loved the three POV! It so deserved its award!
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The storytelling is brilliant. I loved the book and will read it again.
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I have read 2 of her works recently. I enjoyed them both. This one sounds fascinating. Will put this one on my list. Thanks for the review.
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I want to read Ryan’s other to books as they sound fascinating.
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Still haven’t read this one yet, but I really want to!
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It is one of my favorite reads this year! Want to read Ryan’s other books.
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Loved this book, especially the brilliant way the three storylines converge. I was so happy it won a Newbery honor.
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It definitely deserved a Newbery. It is brilliant storytelling.
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Great review Patrica! This one sounds really interesting! What instrument do you play?
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I am so glad I reviewed this book. I thought for sure, many had read this beautiful story. I am a classically trained pianist and nearly majored in music in college, but chose journalism. I love all music, especially opera. One of the characters in the story is a pianist and plays the harmonica.
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Pam is really amazing at weaving magical tales! I’ve not read this yet but I’m sure it is a good one.
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It is my favorite read this year because of the magical realism and heavy emphasis on historical fiction. And, it is a fast read.
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May I suggest the audiobook version as well? I listened to 3/4 of it before it was ‘snatched’ back by the library, but I’ve got it on hold again to hear the rest of it. Not only is the text read beautifully, but there are musical interludes between critical phrases and musical moments in the story. It is simply beautiful!
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Yes, I saw that our library has the audiobook. I’m trying to get a copy before I go on vacation. Thank you for sharing more about the audio book. I’m glad you love the story too! Wait until the ending!
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Sounds intriguing! I will definitely be adding this to my list.
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I hope you read the book! It is such a beautiful story that weaves the lives of three people together. It’s brilliant.
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I just came across this somewhere, and have been wondering about it! Thanks so much for filling in the details!
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The storytelling is superb and enchanting! I love the magical realism.
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I literally could not put this book down. It is so beautifully written and the story line carries you along to the very end. “Echo” made me want to read much from Ms. Muñoz.
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This is the first novel I’ve read by Pam Munoz Ryan. I could not put it down and look forward to reading her other novels. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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Okay- I’m gonna get it!!
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You will love the story!
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This sounds like a masterful book. I’ll look for it.
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I thought you may have read ECHO! You would love the story.
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Time for me to catch up on a few blogs I’ve been neglecting. This is a great pick. An author I really enjoy and a story that sounds right up my alley. I plan to add a few titles to my TBR as I look over your recent posts, Pat! 🙂
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When I reviewed Echo, I was afraid many people had read the book. But, was surprised. It is my favorite MG novel right now. I loved how brilliant the writing. And, even though it appears long, it is a quick read.
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