THE HARMONICA

This dark piece is based on a Holocaust survivor’s experience. A boy lives happily with his parents in Poland, singing and learning to play harmonica; however, the mixed-media illustrations already swirl with anguish and the barbed wire on the cover looms large. Sent to a concentration camp alone, he endures hunger, cold, and forced labor. In a painful twist, an officer discovers his musical gift: “ ‘Play, Jew!’ The commandant spat, night after night.” Tormented, the boy plays Schubert, wrestling with the question of how the beautiful music can both invoke his loving parents and also bring rapture to a murderous Nazi officer. One night in the dark barracks, a voice whispers, “Bless you”: the Schubert has reached the ears of the prisoners as well. So in his heart, he plays for them—and for his gone-forever parents. Frequent figurative language gives the narrative voice an adult tone. Visually effective and grim. (author’s note) (Picture book. 8+)