Book Review: Echo

 Book Review: Echo

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ryan, P. M. (2015). Echo. Scholastic Inc. ISBN 978-0439874021

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This multi age book by Pam Munoz Ryan is a beautiful story about how people can be connected and how important that is to our existence and happiness. You fall in love with the characters as they navigate the connections that are made by the harmonica. Through these connections you experience the imagined but very realistic stories of these characters endearing you to them.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is intriguing to the reader because it includes magical aspects but through the lens of the very realistic stories of the characters. There are aspects of music that flow through the entire story pulling the characters and connections together. This author is not afraid to present the experiences of the characters that include adversity, war, prejudice, and the human struggle. This book could even be broken down into smaller parts for struggling readers. Presenting this text as a read aloud would be a great way to inspire thoughtful discussion in the classroom.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
New York Times Bestselling Book

Newbery Honor Book

Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner

“A multilayered novel set in turbulent times explores music’s healing power.” – Kirkus Reviews

“An impassioned, uplifting, and virtuosic tour de force from a treasured storyteller!” – Goodreads

5. CONNECTIONS
This is an excellent book to compare to nonfiction. There are so many topics it could be read alongside of. Example – musical instruments, music history, historical events that take place in the book like the Holocaust and the Great Depression.

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson