Echo, Pam Muñoz Ryan. Another favorite book, plunked right during the rise of Adolf Hitler. The front and end pages tell the tale of Otto playing hide and seek, only to stumble and fall into the fairy tale of three forgotten girls with the gift of music. Only with the passing on of a harmonica, can they be released from the spell of their captive witch. From there, the story tells in turn, the tales of three young lives: Friedrich, Mike, Ivy.

Jews are disappearing in Germany and Friedrich and his father are scrutinized because they are not members of the Nazi party. Friedrich's sister, Elisabeth, joined the party and fights against their resistance. They must choose between their beliefs and the love for their sister/daughter. Hiding proves difficult because of Friedrich's port stain birth defect covering half his face and his uncontrollable hand movements as though he is conducting an orchestra.

Across the Atlantic Ocean in Pennsylvania, Mike and his younger brother, Frankie, are orphans, living in an unfit orphanage. Mr. Howard, the lawyer for Mrs. Sturbridge, is charged with finding a young girl to adopt, but leaves with the two boys, not baring to separate their longing arms around one another. When he brings them home to Mrs. Sturbridge, they are unwanted and rebuffed along with the lonely piano that Mike longs to play. Yet, in order to retain her wealth, she must bring joy back to the household. Mike strikes a deal with the sad woman to keep Frankie only.

Ivy and her family are moving yet again, away from her only friend in the world, to tend the farm of the Yamamotos, a Japanese family forced to move to an internment camp in California. Their neighbors, the Wards, suspect the Yamamotos of espionage and search for proof. Their son died in the war and they blame Kenny Yamamoto for living.

All three stories are connected through the "silken thread of destiny," or a harmonica with the letter M  on the side. The stories are separate, yet come together at a beautiful concert in Carnegie Hall. With a sense of fulfillment, Ryan brings closure and satisfaction to a not-to-be-forgotten story yearning to be enjoyed over again. Consider rereading the front and end pages before closing the book. Without a doubt, awards are sure to await Ryan.

"Your fate is not yet sealed.
Even in the darkest night, a star will shine,
a bell will chime, a path will be revealed."