Tuesday, December 29, 2015

I loved reading ECHO by Pam Munoz Ryan

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan is quite a book...really many books/genres held together masterfully through music. It starts as a fairytale that includes a scary witch who casts a spell on three princesses. Then those three met Otto in a field and a fantasy story begins. Then three different historical fiction stories are told, all about terrible times in history - 1933 Germany and the rise of the Nazi Parry, 1935 USA and the struggle of orphans in America during the Depression and 1942 California and the story of the Japanese Internment Camp. And then in 1951, all three of these stories magically meet in NYC at a concert at Carnegie Hall!! And after the concert, we learn more about Otto and more about the fairytale princesses! And during it all, MUSIC holds the lives of the characters together. Music played on a shared harmonica as this thought is recalled:
"Even in the darkest night, a star will shine.
A bell will chime. A path will be revealed."

I was drawn to take notes as Mary Ehrenworth taught me this summer at the TCWRP Reading Institute to hold onto this story:


I wonder about reading this book to my 3rd graders...it is long, 587 pages. It does deal with sad times in our history. But it is filled with characters that persevere and overcome struggle and value music.
Now I can't wait for January 4th when school is back open so I can begin this read-aloud!

I am glad to be connected again to this amazing author.
She truly has outdone herself with this novel of so many genres woven together with music.
Pam Munos Ryan Website


I thought I was going to write about my 2015 OLW - responsiveness - today and reflect on my 2016 OLW - transparency ...next Tuesday!!

Today, my thoughts are echoing and I feel moved to go buy a harmonica!!

And I also want to TALK to someone who has read this book. Have you? 
Maybe a virtual book club on twitter soon. 
Favorite parts, favorite characters, music....so much to discuss.
Let me know if you are interested!!


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12 comments:

  1. Lisa OrchardDecember 29, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    I'm going to have to look into this book. I was able to see Pam Munos Ryan speak at a writer's conference. Such an awesome, inspiring lady. :) I'm stopping by from the Slice of Life Tribe. :)

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  2. Lisa OrchardDecember 29, 2015 at 12:30 PM

    I'm going to have to look into this book. I was able to see Pam Munos Ryan speak at a writer's conference. Such an awesome, inspiring lady. :) I'm stopping by from the Slice of Life Tribe. :)

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  3. Michelle HaseltineDecember 29, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    That book is on my list! A colleague just posted a great review on it TODAY! Wow!!! I'll have to move it to the top of the list...my copy is at school. Transparency for your 2016 OLW?!?! Hmmm....interesting! Can't wait to read more about this!! (And YES, let's plan to meet IRL. I'll email you!)

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  4. MichelleDecember 29, 2015 at 2:55 PM

    This book has been on my list for awhile! I'm glad to read a little bit more about it...thank you for sharing!

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  5. UnknownDecember 29, 2015 at 3:18 PM

    I wanted to buy a harmonica too! I listened to the audiobook this summer and it was FANTASTIC. I have recommended it to several adults and they loved it too. I'm hoping it wins some awards in 2 weeks.

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  6. JulieanneDecember 29, 2015 at 4:21 PM

    Hello my friend! I haven't read it because my students have been consuming it. I love your writing about reading here and would be up for reading it over the next week.

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  7. AnonymousDecember 29, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    I read this book at the beginning of the summer and loved it. Our 5th graders have been loving it, too. A friend just told me to listen to the audiobook, as it includes music, making the story that much richer. Keep us posted about a virtual book club!

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  8. Leigh Anne EckDecember 29, 2015 at 9:42 PM

    I loved this book! This is my pick for the Newbery. I love the timeline you created. This was a smart thing to do because there was so much to keep track of. I would you to talk about this book too!

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  9. Peg DDecember 29, 2015 at 11:56 PM

    I loved the book! I love how each part left you hanging but intertwined at the end. The book ends of the story cocoon wrapping it all together was so masterfully done. If you read it to 3rd graders, can you read enough each day to keep the threads together? Teachers in my school don't read every day or don't read for very long. I'd be worried the kids would get lost because it would take them the rest of the year to read it at the pace they read. :-) I sent a copy to my nieces -- and my hubby and one son are the only people I know who have read it. But they liked it too. :-)

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  10. Peg DDecember 29, 2015 at 11:57 PM

    I loved the book! I love how each part left you hanging but intertwined at the end. The book ends of the story cocoon wrapping it all together was so masterfully done. If you read it to 3rd graders, can you read enough each day to keep the threads together? Teachers in my school don't read every day or don't read for very long. I'd be worried the kids would get lost because it would take them the rest of the year to read it at the pace they read. :-) I sent a copy to my nieces -- and my hubby and one son are the only people I know who have read it. But they liked it too. :-)

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  11. virginiapDecember 30, 2015 at 12:55 AM

    I agree! Echo is a beautiful story, beautifully written! I'm torn between wanting it and The War That Saved My Life to win the Newbery. It is a really special book. I had heard that the audiobook was amazing, and I think I'm going to "reread" it with my ears via the audio!

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  12. Lillie woodsNovember 1, 2016 at 5:41 PM

    I read this book in three days it was so good.I'm 11 & using this book in a project at school.I have not finished it yet but so close!!!!!

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