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The Harmonica
Sam and his father sail from England to America to begin a new life in Jamestown, but they run into trouble when their money is stolen and they have to defend themselves in court.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2004
11 people are currently reading
960 people want to read
About the author
Tony Johnston
142 books55 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 2, 2018
4.5 stars. When Poland is invaded a boy is seperated from his family.
Like a length of kindling in one stroke, they split
He feels he knows his parents are dead. Happy memories keep him going, and his harmonica, a gift from his father he miraculously kept concealed. One night a guard hears him play Schumann and from then on requests he plays for him each night. The boy has feelings of guilt about playing for a Nazi and gaining some extra bread so he closes his eyes and plays for his parents.
The book tells the story well, but I think more suited to older children. There is small piece of writing about the real life events that inspired this book. I would loved to have had some more information on this story. A photo of him, which pieces he played, did he find his parents? An inspiring read of some on getting through great hardship.
Like a length of kindling in one stroke, they split
He feels he knows his parents are dead. Happy memories keep him going, and his harmonica, a gift from his father he miraculously kept concealed. One night a guard hears him play Schumann and from then on requests he plays for him each night. The boy has feelings of guilt about playing for a Nazi and gaining some extra bread so he closes his eyes and plays for his parents.
The book tells the story well, but I think more suited to older children. There is small piece of writing about the real life events that inspired this book. I would loved to have had some more information on this story. A photo of him, which pieces he played, did he find his parents? An inspiring read of some on getting through great hardship.
September 24, 2010
This is a chillingly effective and hauntingly beautiful historical fiction book about a Polish Jewish boy during the Nazi era Holocaust.
The boy and his mother and father are poor, but they all love music, and his father manages to give him a harmonica. This grim, uplifting (and at one point even funny) story brilliantly shows how a poor but intact and loving family, go from everyday life to the horrors that await them when they are caught by the Nazis.
All the mixed emotions, and the horror and terror and joy this story and its illustrations manage to show, when the boy’s harmonica helps him in a concentration camp, well it’s rather amazing. It feels so honest.
The author’s note at the back of the book tells a little about the real boy this story was based on. This is one of those Holocaust books that shows both the worst and best of human beings.
I would not recommend this as an introduction to the Holocaust (too disturbing) or for extremely sensitive children or very young children, but for older children, this is a marvelous book. I’m very impressed with how the story evolved and what it communicated, and the illustrations are superb. I’ve read quite a few Holocaust books, for children, young adults, and adults, and this is one of the special ones.
The boy and his mother and father are poor, but they all love music, and his father manages to give him a harmonica. This grim, uplifting (and at one point even funny) story brilliantly shows how a poor but intact and loving family, go from everyday life to the horrors that await them when they are caught by the Nazis.
All the mixed emotions, and the horror and terror and joy this story and its illustrations manage to show, when the boy’s harmonica helps him in a concentration camp, well it’s rather amazing. It feels so honest.
The author’s note at the back of the book tells a little about the real boy this story was based on. This is one of those Holocaust books that shows both the worst and best of human beings.
I would not recommend this as an introduction to the Holocaust (too disturbing) or for extremely sensitive children or very young children, but for older children, this is a marvelous book. I’m very impressed with how the story evolved and what it communicated, and the illustrations are superb. I’ve read quite a few Holocaust books, for children, young adults, and adults, and this is one of the special ones.
February 28, 2013
This story begins in Poland where a boy is family are enjoying each others company and the beauty of music even though they are poor. It is illustrated with beautiful warm colors and the happiness radiates off the page. Then the colors of the illustrations turn cold and dark as the boy and his parents are split apart and sent to separate concentration camps in Nazi Germany. The only thing that helps the boy survive is his small silver harmonica and the music of Schubert.
Author Tony Johnston creates authentic characters with only a small amount of words. He does not romanticize the life of the Polish family before or after they are split apart by Nazi's. the reader never finds out what has happened to the parents although the boy has come to terms with the fact that they are most likely dead. Because of the serious and honest nature of this book, I would recommend it for 5th grade above and for students who are already familiar with the history of Nazi Germany.
One part of this book that I think will resonate with students today is the healing power of music. Even though the boy was facing unspeakable hardships, the music of his harmonica helped him (and many other prisoners) survive from day to day.
Author Tony Johnston creates authentic characters with only a small amount of words. He does not romanticize the life of the Polish family before or after they are split apart by Nazi's. the reader never finds out what has happened to the parents although the boy has come to terms with the fact that they are most likely dead. Because of the serious and honest nature of this book, I would recommend it for 5th grade above and for students who are already familiar with the history of Nazi Germany.
One part of this book that I think will resonate with students today is the healing power of music. Even though the boy was facing unspeakable hardships, the music of his harmonica helped him (and many other prisoners) survive from day to day.
February 21, 2020
I have been checking out whatever I can find in WWII picture books. It's an interesting genre, because one usually thinks of picture books as being for the smallest children. However, these have such difficult stories that I don't think I will share most of them with my children until they are much older. It would be interesting to have had many of these picture books included in my middle school years and even up into college. They are a poignant way to briefly tell so many stories, and there are many to tell. I'm not sure that there are many upper grade teachers and professors out there who consider adding picture books to their curriculum.
This one is especially haunting, and I believe it would be over most youngsters' heads to try to imagine the way that a child in a concentration camp could have such conflicting emotions over playing music for the commandant who orders him to perform for him regularly. He really has no choice in the matter, and doesn't want to do anything special or nice for this man. However, he gets to play his harmonica, he gets to sink into the music that he loves, he gets to remember his parents who taught and enjoyed the music with him before they died, but he also grieves for them. His performances earn him extra rations, which save his life but which also burden him with guilt that he gets more than others. He feels better about playing when the other prisoners tell him how much it means to them.
This one is especially haunting, and I believe it would be over most youngsters' heads to try to imagine the way that a child in a concentration camp could have such conflicting emotions over playing music for the commandant who orders him to perform for him regularly. He really has no choice in the matter, and doesn't want to do anything special or nice for this man. However, he gets to play his harmonica, he gets to sink into the music that he loves, he gets to remember his parents who taught and enjoyed the music with him before they died, but he also grieves for them. His performances earn him extra rations, which save his life but which also burden him with guilt that he gets more than others. He feels better about playing when the other prisoners tell him how much it means to them.
September 22, 2010
I can't imagine what Schubert would sound like played on a harmonica. I wish I could hear it. Johnston has written a moving story of a young Jewish boy in a Nazi concentration camp who survives because of his music. Ron Mazellan's illustrations have a muted, far-off quality, appropriate for a memory of something that happened long ago. I particularly like the way he has captured people's expressions, whether of happiness singing or sad obedience while appearing before the commandant. A note from the author at the back of the book indicates that this is based on a true story. Nicely done and recommended!
September 10, 2009
This sincere picture book tells the same type of story as Arthur Miller's screenplay "Playing for Time" in which a person is in the compromising position of playing music for their persecutor (a moral dilemma). It kept them alive but full of guilt. This one has poignant illustrations and beautifully descriptive images in words. This is one of the better picture books about the holocaust--it doesn't hold back or trivialize feelings or events. I recommend it middle school teachers, for sure.
December 28, 2019
Poignant, and very sad, story about a young boy in a concentration camp who finds hope and a way to lighten others up with the harmonica gifted by his father.
February 14, 2012
Henryk doesn’t remember his parents faces, but he does remember “their love, warm and enfolding as a song.” Thus begins the story of a boy remembering the joy of being with his parents and singing “so off-key we could crack crockery.” The family was poor and loved to listen to Schubert. One day Henryk’s father came home with a harmonica and taught him to play it. Then the Nazi’s came and “like a length of kindling in one stroke, they split our family.” Ironically, the commandant at the concentration camp loves Schubert and Henryk plays for him. Henryk muses, “He worked us, beat us for no reason, without mercy. Yet he recognized beauty. I could not imagine how that could be.” When the other prisoners whisper “Bless you,” Henryk realizes that in this inhumane place his harmonica gives everyone, good and evil, hope; and so, he chooses to play his harmonica with all his heart.
The illustrations, by Ron Mazellan, are gorgeous. In the beginning of the story when Henryk remembers his family the color is warm and glowing. On pages 5 and 6, the lace curtain is blowing in the room while his mother hugs him and his dad looks on with joy. The movement and happiness is captured quite beautifully. It is one of my favorite pages along with the next one that shows a close up of the father and son’s hands as Henryk’s father gives him the harmonica.
While at the camp the colors shift to cool and are grim and dark, portraying the bleak surroundings. The commandant has a hat on one page with a skull on the brim. Another page shows Henryk playing the harmonica and surrounded in light while the commandant in front of a red backdrop listens to him with his hand over is heart and a blissful expression on his face, a bullwhip in his hand, and dogs at his feet. The white blackdrop bleeds into the red suggesting the music touching the evil and reminding the commandant of what was once good in life. On the page where Henryk wonders how the commandant can love Schubert there is a skull lightly painted in the background above the commandant. The boy is in the front and his striped pajamas look like prison bars but in front of the commandant as well as on Henryk. The picture suggests that while Henryk is in prison, so is the commandant whose life is hollow and bankrupt of all beauty. It is a powerful painting.
While this book is written at a grade 3 level the content is for grade 5 and up. It is a picture book that requires discussion and is not really appropriate for young kids. It would be a great mentor text for teachers
The illustrations, by Ron Mazellan, are gorgeous. In the beginning of the story when Henryk remembers his family the color is warm and glowing. On pages 5 and 6, the lace curtain is blowing in the room while his mother hugs him and his dad looks on with joy. The movement and happiness is captured quite beautifully. It is one of my favorite pages along with the next one that shows a close up of the father and son’s hands as Henryk’s father gives him the harmonica.
While at the camp the colors shift to cool and are grim and dark, portraying the bleak surroundings. The commandant has a hat on one page with a skull on the brim. Another page shows Henryk playing the harmonica and surrounded in light while the commandant in front of a red backdrop listens to him with his hand over is heart and a blissful expression on his face, a bullwhip in his hand, and dogs at his feet. The white blackdrop bleeds into the red suggesting the music touching the evil and reminding the commandant of what was once good in life. On the page where Henryk wonders how the commandant can love Schubert there is a skull lightly painted in the background above the commandant. The boy is in the front and his striped pajamas look like prison bars but in front of the commandant as well as on Henryk. The picture suggests that while Henryk is in prison, so is the commandant whose life is hollow and bankrupt of all beauty. It is a powerful painting.
While this book is written at a grade 3 level the content is for grade 5 and up. It is a picture book that requires discussion and is not really appropriate for young kids. It would be a great mentor text for teachers
March 28, 2016
Summary: Tony Johnston’s The Harmonica begins with a young boy reminiscing on his life prior to World War II. He tells of the little his family had and how even so his dad gave him a beautiful silver harmonica. He would play the harmonica often and his parents would dance along, until the Nazis found them. He was sent to a concentration camp and separated from his parents. He would touch and play his harmonica often to keep him from losing hope. The commandant eventually received word of the main character’s talent and summoned him. Each night the main character would play for the commandant. Meanwhile the other prisoner’s would listen to the main character’s beautiful music and they too, were filled with hope.
Theme: Hope can be found anywhere, if you're willing to look
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Personal Response: The Harmonica personalizes World War II and provides insight into the trials and tribulations the Jewish prisoners endured. I personally enjoyed the colorful language and the various use of literary elements. In addition, I was able to step into the main character’s shoes and grasp a deeper understanding of everything he lost. This book puts a face to the Jewish prisoners and provides an alternative perspective of life in the concentration camps.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for children in the third grade to children in the sixth grade. The book is composed of simple sentences, however there is ample use of vivid language. The illustrations incorporate painterly brushstrokes and melancholy colors. The real life account of the concentration camp may be a bit much for children younger than the third grade.
Theme: Hope can be found anywhere, if you're willing to look
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Personal Response: The Harmonica personalizes World War II and provides insight into the trials and tribulations the Jewish prisoners endured. I personally enjoyed the colorful language and the various use of literary elements. In addition, I was able to step into the main character’s shoes and grasp a deeper understanding of everything he lost. This book puts a face to the Jewish prisoners and provides an alternative perspective of life in the concentration camps.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for children in the third grade to children in the sixth grade. The book is composed of simple sentences, however there is ample use of vivid language. The illustrations incorporate painterly brushstrokes and melancholy colors. The real life account of the concentration camp may be a bit much for children younger than the third grade.
May 19, 2014
The Harmonica written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Ron Mazellan was a beautiful story about a boy who gave hope to the prisoners by playing his harmonica. His father gives this young boy a harmonica when the war first starts. One of his favorite memories of his youth and his parents is when they would sing and listen to music. They were very poor and couldn't afford a piano so a harmonica would have to do. Little does Henryk know that his love of Schubert and his ability to play the harmonica ends up saving his life. He is asked by the commander to come and play each evening. When he is finished playing he is given a piece of bread. He feels so sorry for himself during the story but ends up being thanked by someone else for he music. This gives him the encouragement to keep playing. Now when he goes to play each evening he plays for his Parents, and the other prisoners not for the commander. The illustrations throughout the book are beautifully drawn. The color tone changes depending on the mood of the moment. At one point when Henryk is at his lowest the illustrations are so dark you can hardly see anything. This was also when he was thanked for playing so the next illustration you see grows brighter the more he plays because he is now playing for his parents and the other prisoners. Beautifully written and illustrated, would be appropriate for intermediate grades and above because of the content.
November 28, 2017
This story was inspired by a true story, and it is about a boy who grew up with music and it always reminds him of his family. He loved dancing and singing with his family, and one day his father brought him a harmonica, and he learned to play it. Then soldiers came and split up his family, so his parents were taken somewhere he didn’t know, and he was taken to a concentration camp. At the camp he saw everyone was worked to death, and somehow an officer there found out he could play the harmonica. So, every night he played for the soldier and it made him sick, but then he noticed the other prisoners liked it too. Then he started to play for the prisoners and he played to remember his parents and the fun they used to have when they were all together.
I thought this story has so many elements that brought it to life. The bleed and full spread illustrations setting the scene for the well put together text. One thing that stood out to me was the dark gray colors used in the scenes where the Nazi officer was seen. In the background in the shadow of the officer there is even a skull, and I think that just shows there is more meaning to the book than just the words.
I thought this story has so many elements that brought it to life. The bleed and full spread illustrations setting the scene for the well put together text. One thing that stood out to me was the dark gray colors used in the scenes where the Nazi officer was seen. In the background in the shadow of the officer there is even a skull, and I think that just shows there is more meaning to the book than just the words.
November 7, 2017
1. Awards: none
2. Appropriate grade level(s): third grade through fifth grade
3. Original 3-line summary: This book is about a boy who lived in Poland during the Holocaust. He starts out happily with his family, given a harmonica instead of a piano, but then quickly gets separated from his family and thrown in a concentration camp. The boy starts playing the harmonica and immediately catches the attention of the guard who orders him to play, being the only way he can survive in the camp.
4. Original 3-line review: I think this book is a little too dark from younger readers, but the older grades would be able to handle it. It’s an intense book that allows the students to see a first-hand story of a little boy trying to survive in the concentration camps during the holocaust. It ties in more emotion to a historic event that is deeply important to remember.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
• have students describe their emotions they felt about each event that occurred.
• Discuss setting, and when it changes.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): third grade through fifth grade
3. Original 3-line summary: This book is about a boy who lived in Poland during the Holocaust. He starts out happily with his family, given a harmonica instead of a piano, but then quickly gets separated from his family and thrown in a concentration camp. The boy starts playing the harmonica and immediately catches the attention of the guard who orders him to play, being the only way he can survive in the camp.
4. Original 3-line review: I think this book is a little too dark from younger readers, but the older grades would be able to handle it. It’s an intense book that allows the students to see a first-hand story of a little boy trying to survive in the concentration camps during the holocaust. It ties in more emotion to a historic event that is deeply important to remember.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
• have students describe their emotions they felt about each event that occurred.
• Discuss setting, and when it changes.
March 2, 2013
I am not really sure that this book is age appropriate for the picture book age group (1-6) even though it is classified as a picture book.
I feel shaken by it and I'm far, far above the age group targeted.
A little Jewish boy gets a harmonica from his father because they can't afford a piano, or much of anything. He and his parents love music, love Schubert, and the boy learns to play on his harmonica and his parents dance. That is until the Nazi invasion of Poland. He is separated from his parents and sent to a concentration camp where he manages to hold on to his beloved harmonica.
The boy is aware his parents are dead and when the commandant of the camp finds out about the boy's ability to play Schubert on it he makes the boy play for him and gives the boy extra bread. This makes the boy feel dirty and bad. Until he learns that the other prisoners can hear it and it gives them hope. So he plays his little heart out.
Touching and moving and just plain heartbreaking.
I feel shaken by it and I'm far, far above the age group targeted.
A little Jewish boy gets a harmonica from his father because they can't afford a piano, or much of anything. He and his parents love music, love Schubert, and the boy learns to play on his harmonica and his parents dance. That is until the Nazi invasion of Poland. He is separated from his parents and sent to a concentration camp where he manages to hold on to his beloved harmonica.
The boy is aware his parents are dead and when the commandant of the camp finds out about the boy's ability to play Schubert on it he makes the boy play for him and gives the boy extra bread. This makes the boy feel dirty and bad. Until he learns that the other prisoners can hear it and it gives them hope. So he plays his little heart out.
Touching and moving and just plain heartbreaking.
September 12, 2020
I don’t have sufficient words to adequately describe my love for this book. Few children’s books have the lasting effect this book had on me. I cried so much that it took me time to get through this short narrative, based on an incredible true story of survival. Beautiful, simply beautiful. The illustrations accompanying the story made it just that much more special. A must read for anyone wishing to have a glimpse into the atrocity of the Holocaust, painfully experienced through the eyes of a child. I’ll be rereading it many times, I just know it. I’ve bought a copy, knowing this is something I must treasure and share.
January 8, 2018
The Harmonica is inspired by the true story of a Holocaust survivor. It is reminiscent to me of the film, The Pianist, sharing the theme of the power of music in the darkest time. This historical picture book follows a Polish boy into the concentration camp, Dyhernfurth. There, he plays the harmonica his father gave to him. Though he is separated from his parents and forced to work in the camp, the boy plays the harmonica in the evenings for a Nazi general, thereby making himself valuable, but the music saves more than one life. Lovely illustrations and a moving story.
March 26, 2009
I actually loved the illustrations in this book so much more than the actual story! I felt like the story left a lot of important details out and was very choppy, but the illustrations in this book are magnificant! I just can't say enough about how the drawings bring you into a story that you wish you knew so much more about.
September 29, 2011
A lovely picture book with haunting illustrations. It's not graphic, but because of the subject matter, I'm not sure it would be good for young children, and older children probably would not want to read a picture book. So I'm not sure what the target audience would be. But it is a good depiction of one boy's journey through the Holocaust.
December 5, 2016
The artwork went really well with the story and overall the story was interesting and sad. It tells the story of a young child being sent to a concentration camp being separated from his parents where he survived by being forced to play the harmonica for the Nazi. It shows how powerful music can be.
March 1, 2017
This is a true story about a young Jewish boy who was sent to a concentration camp. His father taught him how to play the harmonica, and Shubert, which the commandant loved. So every night he would play for him.
This is a lovely, touching story about music and WW2. I liked that this book had possible vocabulary words. It is probably for upper elementary kiddos (maybe 3rd and up).
This is a lovely, touching story about music and WW2. I liked that this book had possible vocabulary words. It is probably for upper elementary kiddos (maybe 3rd and up).
June 20, 2009
Lovely and touching story of a boy's survival during the holocaust. This fiction story is a picture book with a deep subject, short enough for a read-aloud, great addition to holocaust unit of study.
December 10, 2012
Through hurt and pain, hope can stay alive is just one person looks for it. The Harmonica takes place in Poland during the Nazi regime. The main character then travels to a work camp because he is a Jew, but because he continues to play his Harmonica many people are give hope.
January 8, 2016
I think this book was very touching. The story of how his harmonica and pure musical talent saved him from starvation is incredible. The ending was utterly beautiful about how he thought of his family each night. I think this story is wonderful and would recommend it to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2016
Stunning pictures, wonderful story where every word counts and matters about a boy who survives a concentration camp by playing his harmonica for the commandant. Based on a true story. Would be great as a way to introduce any Holocaust story. For grades 5 and up.
November 28, 2016
This book was a great example of historical fiction. It was sad because it is set during the Holocaust. The family in this book gets split apart and the only thing that reminds the little boy of home is his harmonica. Will the family get reunited? You'll have to read it to find out.
May 22, 2012
Fitting illustrations for a a sad yet based on truth story. So many Holocaust stories, but as I was once told, if we forget it we will repeat it.
January 7, 2013
Good book on a difficult subject. It is realistic and harsh but not too graphic to be inappropriate for younger children - just be prepared to discuss.
January 3, 2013
Good illustrations, nice message about music bringing hope in the camps.
July 11, 2014
Sad tale. I liked the message, but the writing seemed a bit choppy so my younger kids had a little bit of trouble following it. Well worth reading.
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January 7, 2016good book about Germany in world war 2 and the struggles someone would go throught
January 7, 2016
Great picture book about the Holocaust, but I did not like the ending
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews