Jennifer’s Comments (group member since Jan 29, 2018)

Jennifer’s comments from the Munoz Ryan author study group.

Esperanza has grown so much in a short time. I was shocked that the money orders were gone, but knew Miguel wouldn’t do something to hurt Esperanza. Through it all, he’s had a love for her and her family that would outlast all of their hardships. By this time in the book, I had forgotten about Abuelita. Suddenly, the main focus was for Mama. I would have fallen to the ground sobbing when I saw her. He has brought her a gift like no other. The bond that Miguel and Esperanza have shared is real love. At the beginning, “Our land is alive”, her father told her. A piece of the vineyard was brought from their ranch to their new life. The heartbeat is felt now, the land is alive. ‘He who falls today may rise tomorrow’. Esperanza Rising is the perfect name for this book. Her life means more now than in Mexico. She will never take anything or anyone for granted, again. Miguel and Esperanza are on the same side of the river and nothing shall keep them apart. This was a tragic, yet beautiful story. Through the struggles and rising up, she really learned to live.

Mama getting sick, causes Esperanza to take responsibility of providing for the family. She gets made fun of because she’s never done hard labor, any labor, really. But she realizes if she wants her family back together she needs this work. The striking may result in losing her income and new shelter. With her mom and Abuelita away, Esperanza depends on her job and Miguel’s friendship. Mama continues to need hospital care. She works and works, then buys money orders with the extra money left over. Eventually, she hopes to save enough to bring Abuelita. I hope with all my might that she will get her family back together! She has finally learned what hard work, sacrifice and what a servant’s life feels like. She’s seeing the other side. Is being wealthy most important or is family most important? Maybe, working the land will help bring back the heartbeat of the land.

Esperanza is living a beautiful life and comes from a well off family in Mexico. Her father has many workers; Alfonso was the boss of field workers and Hortensia, the housekeeper. Their son, Miguel, was Esperanza’s best friend. As she grew older, she noticed the social classes and the divide between her and Miguel. She was the ranch owner’s daughter and he the housekeeper’s son, with a deep river that ran between them. She even told him this and since then he called her, my queen, but didn’t goof around as before.
A devastating turn of events transpires after the passing of Esperanza’s father. Even though, Esperanza’s mother is bright, courageous and able to run their family’s dynasty, she is not given the chance. The uncles concocted a plan to inherit the family ranch and fortune. Miguel, Alfonso and Hortensia decide to head to America. They know that they were born servants and could continue to be servants, but were ok with that while working for Esperanza’s father. He treated them fairly and gave them a small plot of land. The uncles would not be as fair. They are heading North for a better future. “You were right, Esperanza. In Mexico, we stand on two different sides of the river.” Esperanza’s home was set on fire and Abuelita got hurt. Abuelita went to live in a convent with her sister to get better, while Esperanza and Mama joined Miguel’s family.
Esperanza is starting to see what it’s like to be poor and dependent. She knows that it won’t last long for her, that soon they will get the money from the bank and they will again be rich. Miguel said, “Those who have Spanish blood, but lightest complexion are the wealthiest.” Esperanza doesn’t agree, but believes that in America things will be better. Esperanza and her mother are willing to give up everything, for now, in order to be free from the uncles. They will bring Abuelita once they get settled and it’s safe. They know the uncles will be angry and watching Abuelita. Esperanza went from a princess to a peasant, now she needs a job like everyone else around them. The loss of her father has really pained her and completely changed her life. Her mother is filled with grace as she strives to keep her family together.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Ryan is a literary genius! The way the stories were woven together were brilliant. The M for messenger. The harmonica and its music joined by the silken thread of destiny. At first, I was worried about the prologue and thought the book would be complete fantasy, but it wasn’t. It tied the entire story together. The suspense from each part’s ending kept the audience eager to continue reading the story. It did not feel like a nearly 600 page book. I’ll definitely read this book again and use in literature circles.

Their home being graffiti-ed makes me angry. It was best to get it cleaned up as soon as possible. That family did not deserve to be shamed in that way. Having a family member come to town and see that, especially a military man, would be tragic. I wasn’t surprised about what was in the hidden room, just how big it was and the amount that was hidden. Also, that their prized possessions included musical instruments. Seeing the importance that people place in music is eye opening. This book really has made me respect music more and its beauty. She gave the harmonica to Kenny Yamamato. Will it somehow end up with her brother? Not the letter….was her brother killed or severely injured? Do each of these end in tragedy? Ryan definitely has a way to hold you in suspense.

She is a bright, young girl that loves playing the harmonica Miss Delgado gave to her. (I wonder how Miss Delgado got the harmonica...) One day she was looking forward to playing with her class on the radio, along with her solo. Then, the next day she’s moving with her family. A better opportunity has come along for her family, one that could be permanent. Even though, this is a better time for her family, she’s suddenly being treated as a second class citizen. It’s hard to swallow that people in the United States would be placed in different schools, because of their background. Also, the Japanese Internment camps have always been something I viewed as a great travesty in our history. I don’t believe that the Yamamoto’s were spies, I think that they are trying to hide their precious items. I can’t imagine being ripped from your home with little to no warning.

I read "The Dreamer".
I LOVED the storyline, the lay-out and sketches throughout the book.
The things that jumped out at me most were the social-emotional learning that could take place with the use of this text. Topics such as bullying, intimidation, being passive, showing aggression, assertiveness, inclusion, integrity, and self-esteem. More teachable concepts; perseverance, integrity, creativity, collaboration and cooperation.
The interactions between himself and kids at school and the interactions with the father and each member of the family. He found that adult figure that really helped shape his future success, his uncle. He didn't have to feel like an outcast any longer and became comfortable in his own skin.
Language Arts- poetry, onomatopoeia, alliteration
Historical Connection - (Venn Diagrams) between North American Native American people and the South American Native people in the story. The correlation could be made with how African-Americans were treated during the times of slavery and even after becoming free. His father and the business owners did not treat them kindly. Then, when the secret meetings ended with his Uncle losing the newspaper to a fire, it made me think of the Underground Railroad.

I am not surprised that Mike and Frankie were passed over for a family until Mr. Howard comes into their lives. Now, I understand a little better as to why they have adopted the boys. Music is to heal her soul. Adopting these two boys will never replace her son, nor should it. She has had a lot to grieve; her son, her husband, her father, the life she had dreamed of, her father’s love, as she comes to terms with his final wishes. Her future with or without her fortune. Mr. Howard loves her and wants her to feel love again. Mike will do anything to keep him and Frankie together, even give up his life with them. These boys are resilient!! I’m glad she agreed, but wished that she had openly said she wanted them both to stay. I just know that she was trying to say that before he saw the papers. They must be a mistake. I am Terrified that he was killed or injured severely in the fall. Why? Yet, another tragedy in this story. My heart breaks once again. What will happen to the harmonica? Will Mike pass away and his items be passed on to others? Maybe passed on to the next person in the story.

What is going on?!? I want to know what happened to Fredriech and his family? I do hope that the story will return to them and we get some closure. I’m hoping with all my might that his family is reunited. Now, off to Bishop’s Home for Friendless and Destitute Children.
As a foster parent, this section of the book resonates with me. It breaks my heart for these young boys. I’ve met many children that long for a family, only to be shuffled around due to circumstances beyond their control. Those that have been entrusted with their future are not looking for their best interest. These boys have one dream, to stay together. Mike is mature beyond his years and understands that realistically for him and his brother to stay together it may not be in the best of circumstances. Yet, he is willing to sacrifice for the betterment of his brother. The urgency of the situation is setting in when they learn that he may be sent out to work two years before his time.
It seems that they may have found a family that will take both of them. It is the music that has helped them be selected. And to be chosen after they had looked at 5 other orphanages. Things may be working out for them after all. I’m anxious to learn what will happen with their new family. It sounds more like a business transaction, than someone looking for two young boys to bring into their family. The adoption papers have been filed, yet someone jokes that they are glad not to be the ones to tell her. Where is this going? They head to an amazing home. A dream come true for anyone longing for a place to live. There is always a feeling of when will this dream end and that their lives will be uprooted once again. Mrs. Sturbridge wanted ONE girl and ended up with TWO Boys! Oh, boy this is not going to end well. She doesn’t want anything to do with them. Why is this woman in this situation? How could this type of situation even happen?
Mr. Howard has a strong bond with the boys already. It was downright sad how they were treated at the clothing store. The HARMONICA! I’m glad it had good travels to the US and hope it will continue filling those around it with hope and harmony.
Friedrich/Mike similarities
-feel the need to do anything they can to keep their family together
-both have a passion for music; feel that they want to perform
-they share the very same harmonious harmonica
-outcasts (Friedrich’s birthmark and Mike’s status)

I, honestly, believe that his father hadn’t fathomed how deeply people’s loyalty to Hitler had become. These were his friends and confidants, musicians that had bonded for years. How could this intelligent man buy in to such rash ideologies? In a way, one could have expected that Elisabeth would follow those around her in her time of seeking approval/acceptance while away from her family for the first time. But how could Rudolf turn on father? This is the point that they realize no one is to be trusted. They must put on the mask of following Hitler’s Regime or suffer the consequences. The days of his father’s openly, bold thoughts have been muted in order to protect his family.

His father is gone, Uncle Gunner may be next, and his sister is away being loyal to the “enemy”… It is a relief that his sister sent money to help their father. Are her eyes being opened to what is becoming of her family? Is she seeing the truth of what is happening in Germany?
Friedrich hatches a plan to rescue his father, while his uncle flees. What is to become of them? He is caught by the officers. Will they take him to the Camp or will he be sent to the asylum? It is tragic that he sent his Harmonica on the ship to the U.S. That was his cloak of safety, but music is deep within. I believe Friedrich will come through this and be able to deliver the money for his father. The Harmonica is on its way to another adventure. I'm held in suspense. I can't stop listening/reading!!

I commend his father for making the decision to take him out of school. Friedrich is a unique child that has endured more pain and suffering than one should ever tolerate. Music and “Hansel” are his outlets, his way of coping with life. Imagine the things that were said in just the one visit to the school; disfigurement, imperfection, strangeness, unusual, monster boy, he belongs in a zoo. The love and understanding that his father has for Friedrich is inspiring. The dread of having the threat of him being sent to an asylum is unimaginable. A birthmark, intelligence and imagination should not bring up such a stir. It is heartbreaking. Thankfully, Friedrich’s family is compassionate, accepting and driven to give him a life deserving of his greatness. Music is healing, inspiring and Friedrich’s calling. I believe he was led to the harmonica and was meant to spread music to wash over others. The entire factory family is so accepting and it’s refreshing! Friedrich is getting a top-notch education, while working. It’s beautiful! It does, however, make him stand out. As the one man stated, Hitler doesn’t like those that stand out. I have read many books about Germany during the Nazi regime. It fascinates me. In Hitler’s quest of creating a “pure race” he was ridding the country of all those that were not “perfect”. The experiments that were done on the mentally ill, deformed, twins, etc. was horrendous. To think that one could have such a belief and create a state that would carry out these atrocities is unconscionable. Can you imagine, sterilizing those that could pass on certain hereditary traits? The danger of such power and control. I’m terrified for Friedrich. His sister has made it clear that she would do anything for the Party, even turn in her father and brother. Oh, how their lives have changed with Elisabeth’s new beliefs and way of life. She is even against the harmonica, which carries such importance to their family. It was said he was protected by the cloak of music. I hope that music will continue to be a protector and help bring Friedrich to acceptance and fulfill his life’s passion. I’m terrified that he will end up in the hands of his sister’s new Germany. Even if Friedrich is put to the test, I believe that he will remain faithful to himself, his family, his father and music. I think the music will shield him, yet once again from the devastating events that will take place. Will he be the first to be saved by the harmonica?

I read, The Flag We Love, with my class. We are doing a school Olympics project and our classroom is the United States. We decorated our classroom door with the flag. This book was a wonderful introduction to the importance of the flag, the meaning behind it, the history. It is written in a poetic way, yet has facts written on each page to explain more in depth. My 4th grade class enjoyed the book and it provided us with nice discussion. It, then, led into a math lesson on how to cover our door with an accurate flag. They used measurement, equations with variables, formulas and estimations. The flag turned out nicely. This book made the whole experience!!

I am, as others have said, intrigued by this Prologue. I have ideas, questions, thoughts and wonderings blazing through my head. I, also, just want to continue to see how this all is entwined. I think that the author had the idea of wanting The Thirteenth Harmonica by Otto Messenger portrayed differently than the rest of the book. This look gives it the enchanted feel and helps readers differentiate the two storylines that are taking place in the prologue, only to notice that the storylines are actually embedded within each other. Otto's story and his harmonica; they are to be a messenger. Write your story, spread the music, save a soul at death's door...hadn't he already done that by playing the harmonica and he, himself, being rescued. I'm looking forward to continue reading. I am listening to the book through Audible and following along with the text. If you have the chance I would recommend the Audible. The narrator is wonderful and they play the music, also. It really makes the story come alive!!

Hello everyone! My name is Jennifer Bauer and I teach 4th grade at Jeannette Myhre Elementary School in Bismarck, ND. This is my 13th year of teaching. Looking forward to reading Echo.