Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
  1. Bibliography
Ryan Pam Muñoz. Echo. Scholastic Press, 2015. ISBN 9780439874021.
  1. Plot Summary
Friedrich was born with a birthmark that made him different from all the other
children his own age. He also conducted imaginary orchestras, which again made him
different. Michael, along with his brother Franklin, was a terrific piano player, who just
happened to be living in an orphanage. Finally, Ivy found herself moving, yet again, to a
new town, with her family, and had only her harmonica to keep her company while her
brother was off fighting. The lives of three perfect strangers somehow find their way to
connect and create a story unlike any other.   
  1. Critical Analysis
This is a long and intricate story that weaves its branches amongst the lives of others.
I think Pam Munoz Ryan created a story with a very clever way of intertwining three
people (with three completely different backgrounds) lives together through a mystical
and magical harmonica. Friedrich, Michael, and Ivy were all helped in some way by the
harmonica, and at the end of the story the reader was able to piece each of their lives
together. Through cliff hangers and suspence, the reader was left wondering what
happened to the lives of these three children until the very end.
  1. Review Excerpts
  • 2016 Newbery Honor Book
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Winner of the 2015 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers
  • "A masterpiece." -- Christopher Paul Curtis, author of Newbery Medal-winning
Bud, Not Buddy
  1. Connections
  • The possibilities for cross-curriculum teaching are endless with this story.
Teachers can extend the learning by teaching students more about World War II;
whether they talk about Nazi Germany, or the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
  • Teachers can also give more information about Johannes Bach or other musicians
mentioned in the story.
  • Finally, a teacher can extend the learning by teaching students how to play the
harmonica.

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