Munoz Ryan author study discussion

Here we move to another part of the world. Were you left hanging from Fredriech's story?
In this section we meet Mike and Frankie, these two boys are orphans that want to do everything they can to stay together.
Again there is a harmonica that they find and one has more ability with it than the other. Is this the same harmonica?
Do you think the boys will be adopted or are they bound to spend their childhoods in the Bishop's home.
What similarities or differences do you see between the beginning of their story and Friedrich's story?

I was definitely left hanging after Freidrich's story. I don't like having issues unresolved:-)

It seems to me that the harmonica Mike found in the music store is the same one from earlier in the story. It has an M on it, and Friedrich polished it up and packed it up with the others bound for America.

Because the lower boys are expected to be moved out to make room for other boys and planting season coming soon, I don't expect the boys will both stay at Bishop's home. I'm hoping they are at least able to stay together. Maybe run away like the older boy did?

Both the brothers and Friedrich lost their moms at an early age. They went on to live happily with another guardian (dad or grandma) until tragedy struck. Now their lives seem dismal and hopeless. I'm rooting that all the boys will overcome life's challenges.

This part of the story was a bit hard to get into, since my mind kept going back to Fredriech and wondering if I missed something. But these two boys were easy to like right from the beginning and seeing how they loved each other very much and the only comfort they had was being together. I wonder if all orphanages were like this during this time? It seems that almost every book and movie portrays them as being horrible and the caregivers only looking out for themselves.
I saw the connection between the two stories to be music and this is where I realized the importance of the harmonica. I was figuring the boys were going to break into the basement cupboards and find the harmonica she took from them, but knowing these boys they would never do that. They are very kind and proper boys with great morals.

Between the first two parts I see the struggle, while completely different struggles. They are the same, because they feel life is uncertain and are scared for their safety. Munoz Ryan made it easy to love the boys from the start and makes the reader eager to know of their future.

I think the harmonica that they bought in the store with the M on it is definitely the same harmonica that Friedrich had.

I was concerned when we left Friedrich's story. I wanted to know what happened to the whole family. I was still wondering if Elisabeth was truly a Hitlerite or it was just to save her family.

The love between the brothers was amazing to read about. It breaks my heart when I think about kids waiting to be adopted or children who have lost their whole family. Are there many orphanages left in the world today? I can't imagine life in an orphanage or the fact that they are willing to adopt siblings out to separate families. I wasn't as close to my brothers as these two are, but I couldn't imagine life without them.
I do believe that this is the same harmonica that Friedrich had. That harmonica has to be what this whole book is based around. It started with it with Otto, moved to Friedrich, and now the boys. I hope the boys' fate will change toward the positive and live happy lives.
I agree with Tami on the struggles in both sections of the book so far. I can feel their desperation to be safe and taken care of.

It was hard to leave the story of Friedrich without knowing what happens to him and his family, but Munoz Ryan immediately had me hooked with the story of Mike and Frankie.

Both of the stories involve young children, both leading difficult lives, who have a deep love for music. They both have suffered loss of family members, but yet still have a deep devotion to the family they have left.

I really think that the harmonica that Mike chooses (or the harmonica that chooses Mike—as Mr. Wilkenson says) is the one that Friedrich packed up to be shipped to America. Not only does it have the “M” on it, but it seems to be magical as well.

I am interested to continue with this part of the story to see when/if Mrs. Sturbridge comes around to the adoption of the boys. What will break the ice between them? What will their relationship be like?

I definitely was disappointed that I had to leave Friedrich’s part of the story and delve into a whole new world of Mike and Frankie.

However, I have grown to love these characters too as they have such a strong commitment as brothers. I really feel concerned about their future at Bishop. I found myself hoping they could find a way to escape and fulfill their dream of going to New York City. I don’t seem to trust anyone’s intentions of wanting to take in a foster kid as it seems many of them are selfish and just want a body who will do hard labor for them.

I love that the harmonica has stuck with us into this part of the story. I feel like it is the same harmonica. I predict it to be a symbol of how it is going to tie the lives of all these characters’ stories together in the end.

Friedrich and the boys definitely have some common ground as they both have many hardships in their young lives to overcome. The author does a great job bringing the reader into the world of these characters as I find myself really empathizing all that they are going through. I’m finding that each character brings a new layer to the story. I am intrigued to see how it all builds up at the end of the book.

It was hard to not know what happened to Friedrich and the rest of his family. I was thinking that I wasn't going to like the next section because my mind was still on Friedrich. It didn't take long and I was just as hooked on this part. The two brothers were easy to like and to worry about. What a great bond they had with each other. I think this is definitely the same harmonica because it is also so special and has so many neat qualities. Both stories have children as their main characters. Both have struggles even though they are quite different. I hope these boys are adopted together by a loving family because they both so very much want that.

I did not want to to move to another part of the story before knowing what happened to Friedrich and his family. However, after I started reading a few pages I was instantly hooked! Again!
I absolutely loved this part of the story! I work at a high poverty school and I was able to make so many connections to both Frankie and Mike. The lives they lived and yearning for a family to love them. I had many tears for the experiences they faced and for the unknown. The harmonica appeared again and I believe it to be the same harmonica. The letter M connected the two together. I think the boys will be adopted but it feel like we so much more to read until we get to experience that part of the book-family. The characters are the depth in the story. Each character makes you feel a variety of feelings. I am curious how this story will be connected to the prologue.

I agree with all the comments I have read above. I hated to leave Friedrich's story. I still wonder what happened to all of them. I am wondering like Anita if Elisabeth was a true Hitlerite or felt she had to become one to save her life and that of her family.
I also became immediately engrossed in what is happening with Mike and Frankie now too. Now I see how music is entwined into this story. I also believe that the harmonica is the same one. It is funny how the story changes. I thought the story was going to be about what one family went through with the Nazis. Now I know the basis of the story is music and the harmonica. Very interesting.
I was glad to see the boys weren't going to be split up. I wondered if Mike would consider running away like the older boy did. But then Mr. Howard solved that problem. I wonder what Mrs. Sturbridge's issues all are, besides the fact that she recently lost her father. All the cryptic messages that are floating around between Mr. and Mrs. Potter and Mr. Howard, I wonder what they all mean. If I were Mike I would be petrified that this wouldn't last either. It is so nice that Frankie is so innocent and willing to just go with the flow. Even though he has had a tough life, he seems to be pretty resilient.
I wonder what the last two sections are going to be like. I am guessing that they will bring some new characters and more music. But there will probably be some misery that comes along with them. This book definitely keeps you hooked. I look forward to reading more.

I am very frustrated with this book so far. I don't enjoy books that don't have an ending. I wanted to know what happened to Frederich as well as his family. I wanted to know if his uncle made it to safety or not. I feel as if I am reading two very incomplete books. I very quickly became engaged in Part II as mentioned above but I felt as if it was a different book. I really like the story of Mike and Frankie and how they seem to have a very special bond. The author really had me in tears as I read about their story and how they were treated. I really hope that they are adopted and do find happiness. The connection between the stories is obviously the harmonica. I do believe it is the same one as the story is 2 years later. I think that the similarities between the two stories is that they were both orphaned at early ages and that they both have a strong love for their family and crave that feeling. Both families are bonded in their love through music.

I have a theory that the fairy tale from the beginning stated that in order for the three girls to be free they had to save the lives of three people. Obviously these are two of the three people but then what happens at the end? Do the girls get free? Are the three characters lives intertwined with each other???

I was a little frustrated with the ending of Friedrich's story because I felt so invested in his life, and the welfare of his whole family. It took me two chapters to mentally move on to a new section of the book.
I love Mike and Frankie's bond. Mike will do anything to protect Frankie. This part started a lot like the last, Friedrich and his sister has the same bond. She wanted to protect him from the mean things people would say about his birthmark. Since the harmonica had a sound that most harmonicas do not, I am hopeful that it was the harmonica Friedrich shipped to America.
I am hopeful that we will learn more about the mystery of Mrs. Sturbridge and she will take a liking to the boys. I would hate to see them sent back to Bishops. Before the boys got adopted together, I was really worried if Frankie was going to do something to ruin it so he could stay with Mike. I am so happy that Mr. Howard chose both boys to be adopted. I feel like Mr. Howard will play a large role in the outcome of this section. Mrs. Sturbridge trusts him and the Potters, so I am hopeful that they will be well taken care of until she comes around.
Both stories have music as their underlying story line. Music has been in all of their hearts. None of these families have been well off. All of the families love each other very hard, and they love each other the best way they know how. Friedrich's dad took him out of school because he loved and wanted to protect him. THe boys granny chose Bishops because of the piano.
I feel like Part 2 will leave us hanging like the first part did, so I am mentally preparing myself for that. I can't wait until Part 4 because I also want to know what happens to the girls from the prelude. I am so hooked on this book.

I was left hanging after Fredreich's story, so I am curious about where this is going now that we have switched to something else. I am wondering who Mike and Frankie really are and how they fit with what we were reading in the first part of the book. I think that they will be adopted by Mrs. Sturbridge, but it will take some time for her to adjust to two boys, when she wanted a girl. I think it will relate to music and possibly the piano becoming part of the relationship working. I think this is the same harmonica because of the box it was in and the lettering of M on it and that it seemed to play music more elaborately than the others and that it made other instruments seem to be playing music as well.
The part about the harmonica and music and wanting to be a part of some type if musical group is definitely a similarity with both parts of the book. Also, the part about Mike and Frankie going to get new clothes and the store clerks thinking that they were thieves relates to Fredreich and having to watch his back and their being people coming to arrest others is similar. Also, Mike and Frankie haven't been going to school is similar.
A difference is that Mike and Frankie were living in an orphanage and Fredreich had a family.

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 was completely left hanging in Germany...What will happen???
In this section Mike and Frankie make it abundantly clear that they want to stay together. It must have been hard on these boys back in those days, as they were used for laborious tasks in the farmers fields. Finding a good family during those times was very difficult for one child, much less two. That comment was also made by Pennyweather and Mike. Unfortunately, I do not think this is the harmonica that was sent from Germany. It was taken with their other belongings and who knows what Pennyweather did with their belongings. Mike is especially good at the piano and I have a feeling since this book is musically intertwined that somehow a piano will save him. Not sure at this point what will happen to the boys, because Mike is making these big plans to see that Frankie gets adopted and then Mike will opt for a future of work and possible escape to the Hoxie Harmonica Band. I feel that his friend Mouse has helped prepare him and is somehow foreshadowing his future, which is still unknown to the reader. I do hope that they both get adopted, since that was the promise that Granny made before she passed. She felt it in her soul. With this book being ethereal in the beginning, that kinda shed some hope that Mike and Frankie will have a positive ending.
The biggest similarities I see is the way that the 3 children were raised. They were not rich, but didn't view themselves as poor. They all had the misfortune of losing a loved one and the fear of separation of their family. Mike had some trust issues with Mouse originally, but later changed his perspective. The differences I see are obviously the settings and that Friedrich had his father and uncle to help guide him, but Mike and Frankie had to try to figure things out on their own. They lost all their family. Friedrich only trusted his father and uncle. During Nazi time, many could not even trust family like Elisabeth's situation. I don't think the trust factor was a big part for Mike and Frankie, as Frankie had a friend help him with the window, and Mike later trusted Mouse.




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I felt such a connection to Fredrich, so when I turned the page I was a little heart broken to realize that it was over!

The bond that Mike and Frankie have is inspirational. They are so committed to staying together. They even sabotaged possible adaptions to hopefully stay together in the future. That is such a strong bond.

I figured the boys would be adapted because if they just stayed in the orphanage the story wouldn't progress very much.

Some differences are that they are two brothers in an orphanage and didn't have close ties with family. Friedrich was very connected to his family.

I definitely felt like Freidrich's story was left with a big cliff hanger. I am curious to see how all of these stories come together.
I immediately felt for Mike and Frankie living in the orphanage. I love how close these brothers are and how they are fighting to stay together. I think that the harmonica is the same one that Fredriech had because it had the letter M on it. I hope the boys get adopted together.
Some similarities are the characters love of music and their strong bonds with their families is what ties these stories together so far. They have all gone through loss at a young age and are trying to navigate their way through some very difficult situations.

Friedrich! Oh Friedrich! I keep envisioning his hands conducting in the air as commotion is happening around him. I long to hear his story completed. I hope that Ryan gives me closure.

I am truly enjoying the new story with Mike and Frankie. I am excited to see what will take place with Mrs. Sturbridge.

The way that Friedrich left the harmonica in a box headed for America and the M located on the harmonica leads to the assumption that they are the same.

Both stories contain a young boy who is overcoming a difficulty.

I keep envisioning Friedrich’s arms conducting in the air, completely oblivious to the commotion around him. I really enjoyed Friedrich and am hoping that Ryan will bring closure to his story.

Even though I loved Friedrich, I am excited for Mike and Frankie’s story. I can’t wait to see if Mrs. Sturbridge will take a liking to the boys.

I also am excited to see if music will bind the hearts of the characters together or how music will play a part.

Friedrich leaves the harmonica in a box headed for America. The harmonica also has an M engraved on it just like Friedrich’s. I think the author wants us to assume that they are the same harmonica.

Both stories contain a young boy in a difficult situation. Both Friedrich and Mike use music to help them through their situations.

Yes, the end of part one left me hanging! Fredriech’s story wasn’t finished. I wanted to know whither he was able to follow through on his plan or if he was captured and sent away. After meeting Mike and Frankie, I can’t help but feel bad for their situation. I like how Mike looks out for Frankie beings they are the only family each other has.

Yes, I feel the harmonica is the same one from Fredriech’s story. I like how Mike hears music and learned to play the piano from his grandmother. I liked how both boys’ stories show their love of music. It will be interesting to see how their stories are intertwining with each other.

I am hopeful that the boys will be adopted together. The similarities I see are the struggles of their every day life, living in fear for their safety, and their love of music. The only difference I can see is the different countries and experiences each one is living through during that time.

Just as the suspense is building with Friedrich, the story changes and you meet two brothers whom you instantly like and easily become engrossed with their situation. The harmonica Mike selects in definitely the same one Friedrich treasured. I predict Mike's self esteem and confidence will increase just as Friedrich's did. I am hopeful the harmonica can help build a relationship between the boys and Mrs. Sturbridge. Similarities I see between the two stories are the personal struggles and responsibility each of the boys (Friedrich & Mike) carry to keep their families together, along with the love and musical talent each boy possesses.

I am guessing that the harmonica will be the same in each part of the story. Since all the parts are so different, it would be the string connecting them all together.
The boys have been adopted my a rich woman whose father just passed away. She wanted one girl, but her lawyer came back with 2 boys. They were adopted for their musical ability, but are not yet allowed to use it it seems. Maybe too painful to the woman who just adopted them. She also doesn't want to spend much time with them, so it is clear she is not ready for the responsibility that she has gotten herself into. The groundskeeper, maid, and lawyers all seem to like the boys very much, and will hopefully provide them a sense of comfort until she comes around. I think Mike's story about NYC is foreshadowing for what will become of the boys.
This part is similar to Friedrich's story in that they both involve gifted musicians who have very difficult challenges ahead of them. For Friedrich, it was having a birthmark in Nazi Germany where a pure white race was the ultimate goal. Friedrich and Mike both have a sibling that they love and care about, but Mike and Frankie are closer than Friedrich and Elizabeth, especially since Elizabeth appeared to be a "Hitlerite," which Friedrich was not. Of course, the setting is different and the storylines are completely different as well; another reason why I think the harmonica is the same throughout.

Wow! I am a little whiplashed from not ending Friedrich's part. However, I'm still wondering where the harmonica will end up and how it's going to play apart in this story.
After I read it, this part started to pull at my heart strings. I'm so excited to see Mike and Frankie's story with the M harmonica and how music will play such a crucial part in their story. I'm hoping the brothers will stay together.
The similarities are a young boy who is going through a difficult time with their family. Differences are the location and the struggle they face.

I am so disappointed in the ending of Friedrich's story. The ending was so suspenseful and then it was just done. Mike and Frankie seem like great boys. I have a feeling it is the same harmonica, which leads me to believe that Friedrich's story is not over. I think the boys will be adopted, but I am not sure if they will go to a home they like or not. Music is one of the most obvious similarities in the two stories. Both stories also involve some challenge/struggle and both have a strong family dynamic. The stories are both set in the past.

I feel as though there was no closure for us moving forward. I hope Friedrich is doing well during our time away from his story.
I believe it is the same harmonica, like why would the author introduce a new harmonica to us. I will be so mad if it is different. I think it makes sense that one is better with it than the other, they aren't the same person, so it is logical that one would be better at it. I hoped that Mike and Frankie will be adopted together, since they are siblings, but that doesn't always happen so I wasn't sure.
I am glad they are together by the end of this part. Mike and Frankie have their cards stacked against them similar to Friedrich. They all share an uncertainty about their futures in the beginning. Mike and Frankie are hoping to be adopted together and Friedrich was hoping to get into the music school. Hopefully the harmonica leads the boys, just as it did Friedrich (albeit that ending to his part leaves me nervous).