Sometimes the most unexpected things can change your life forever. New York Times Bestselling Author Pam Munoz Ryan’s Echo is a story about the power of music, family and just exactly how much the world can impact you. The story, which takes place across multiple storylines, starts with Otto Messenger, who, while in the midst of a game of hide and seek, finds himself in a forbidden forest and no sooner, tangled into a prophecy, a mysterious harmonica and three sisters placed under a spell which only could be broken by a messenger. 50 years later, the very same harmonica is placed into the lives of Friedrich, Mike and Ivy, three children living very different lives, except for the one thing they had in common-their ability to find solace in music. Friedrich, living in 1940s Germany is faced with crisis when his father is taken captive. Mike, an orphan living with his brother, Frankie’s lives are turned upside down when they are adopted by Ms. Stuebridge, a rich widow with a mansion in the countryside who has more to her personality than what meets the eye. Ivy Lopez discovers she is forced to move to Fresno, away from her old home and into a new life filled with new people whom she isn’t used to. But through the power of music and friends they make along the way, they manage to restore balance in themselves and break the three sisters’ curse. Ryan manages to weave innocence and simple pleasures into a war-ridden world, and everyday experiences through the light of three sixth graders. Easily likable characters and their internal conflict adds a lot to the story as it enables you to only step more into the shoes of the protagonists’ lives. A particular highlight of the story were the descriptions, specifically the emotions felt during the performance. The rich imagery moves you into a haven tucked away from the world, where every note wrapped you up in a story they were meant to tell. Filled with eloquent, simple yet effective prose, characters readers will thoroughly find themselves attached to, and a vivid glimpse into what the past was like, Echo will take your breath away from the first strike until the very last note. Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Scholastic, 2015. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
Book Reviews
Poached, Reviewed by Aditi, 12
Have you ever been accused of something awful that you did not commit? Was the evidence leading up to your conviction? Well, Teddy Fitzroy, the protagonist in Poached by Stuart Gibbs, succumbed to this unfortunate fate! Teddy is twelve years old and lives in a trailer right outside of the world’s largest zoo, Funjungle. After an encounter with the school’s bully, Vance, Teddy’s life gets turned around. The one and only prized koala, Kazoo, goes missing, and the entire zoo suspects Teddy for stealing the koala! Poached is an adventure-packed mystery book delicately garnished with sprinkles of humor. Gibbs engages the reader with several twists and cliff-hangers, beautifully weaving in the concept of perseverance! After being filmed entering and exiting the koala exhibit—with a full backpack— Teddy is convicted of stealing Kazoo. No one believes Teddy, and the police find koala droppings and fur in his room. The entire zoo suspects Teddy and won’t let go of their suspicions. With all of the evidence leading up to his conviction, Teddy is determined to prove his innocence and find the real thief. Even if Teddy’s innocence seemed impossible to prove, his loving parents stayed by his side the whole time. Since Teddy’s parents work at the zoo, they tried their best to find the real thief: from searching security cameras to locating possible suspects. Even if Teddy’s parents want him to stay out of the crime scene, Teddy insisted on helping out. One person who is entirely against Teddy and accuses him of committing the crime is Large Marge. She is the head guard and will believe any evidence she gets, even if it is false! Teddy’s determination to find the real thief made him successful! He would dress up as Funjungle mascots to stay undercover and walk around to find anything suspicious. Being ever so determined, he constantly begged his parents to show him the security feed. After watching the recordings repeatedly, Teddy and his parents figured out that Kazoo was stolen four days before Teddy’s accusation. To replace the stolen koala, the thief placed a realistic-looking stuffed animal instead! I stumbled upon Poached during an impromptu trip to the bookstore. As I scanned through the store shelves, the picture of a sad koala caught my attention. I love koalas, and the cover instantly piqued my interest. Koalas are threatened and harmed. The book sheds light on the fact that the koala population is dwindling. Gibbs chose this precious animal to show that their species need protection from habitat destructors and koala-nappers. “While I was thrilled to see Marge get dressed down and hugely relieved to be proved innocent, I was still worried about Kazoo.” reflects Teddy’s concern for the kidnapped koala, even though he was successful in proving his innocence. Packed with a valuable message of grit and perseverance, Poached is the epitome of the dire need to protect and preserve the animal population. If you like mystery books with the perfect blend of humor, Poached is the right book for you! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves animals and detective work. Poaching and habitat destruction require some thought– we need to prevent it at any cost! If we can all live in harmony with these precious animals and leave behind our selfish interests, our world will be a much better place. Poached by Stuart Gibbs. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
The Dragonfly Pool, Reviewed by Zoe, 10
Eva Ibbotson’s The Dragonfly Pool is a page turning adventure that you are on the edge of your seat for every minute. When Tally is sent to a boarding school in southern England she meets new friends and together they go on a trip to Bergania. There, Karil, the Crown Prince of Bergania, is faced with a terrible fate, and all he wants is to be a normal boy. When World War II stirs up drama and dangerous Nazis who are pursuing Karil he has to rely on his friends, and together they escape. Karil believes he is free, but falls right into the hands of his selfish, abusive grandfather. Karil leads a very dull life until it starts to go in the right direction. I didn’t just read The Dragonfly Pool for the sake of reading a book. I chose it because dragonflies speak to me personally at heart. My dad used to take me out into our backyard at twilight when I was little. Hundreds of dragonflies flew together across the soft, tall grass. Magical, graceful creatures, swooping in and out among the grasses of the meadow. Their glassy wings reflecting the moonlight. We called it “the dragonfly ballet,” which suits it perfectly. When I saw this book on a shelf at the bookstore, I just knew I had to read it. Now that I have, I am so glad that I did. It made me look at World War II, the Nazis, and the whole conception of royalty in a totally different way. For example, I understood the Nazis’ and the fear they instilled in people at a deeper level. I saw that just because you are royalty, doesn’t mean you are rich. You could actually be stuck-up and surviving off very little. Every time a character was worried, excited, or discouraged, I knew how they were feeling. Through all the hardships, and moments of triumph in the story, the author had a way of making you feel like you were experiencing the journey yourself. I was constantly sensing the impression that the words made on me. A positive impression, beautiful even. It was like the dragonflies back home were tugging on my heartstrings, but in a different way this time. It was an exciting, surprising, and tender read, filled with friendship, and pain. Read The Dragonfly Pool if you want to experience a book that you never have before. Read it if you want adventure and excitement. Read it if you want to feel the story in your heart. The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson. Puffin Books, 2009. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
