"Echo"

Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Awards: Newbery Medal 2016
Ages: 5th-8th Grade

Pineapple Points: 5/5

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Summary:
A young boy named Otto becomes lost in the forest, where he is found by three sisters who have been trapped there by a witch's spell.  The sisters help Otto find his way out, and in exchange he carries their spirits with him in the music of his harmonica, and promises to help them gain their freedom by passing it along to the right person, at the right time. The harmonica first finds its way into the hands of Friedrich, a sick German boy in Nazi Germany. Friedrich must fight the Nazi Regime from breaking up his family. 
Next, the harmonica ends up in the hands of Mike, a young orphan in Philadelphia.  There, His brother and he live in fear of being separated, until their musical talent provides opportunity. Finally, the harmonica makes its way to Ivy in California during World War II.  Ivy's family moves to what they hope to be a permanent home, managing the farm belonging to a Japanese-American family who have been sent to an internment camp.  While her family had high hopes for their new home, they are faced with discrimination, segregation, and suspicion, all the while worrying about Ivy's older brother who has enlisted in the Marines. All stories come together at the end with both magic and music.

Evaluation:
A very long read but essentially four books in one. The book has great but frustrating cliffhangers that are hard not to hold onto. A great read for children who adore Science Fiction and need a bit of diversity in their arsenal of books.