Echo

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Hardcover, 2015

Status

Available

Publication

Scholastic Press (2015), 592 pages

Description

Lost in the Black Forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and finds himself entwined in a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica--and decades later three children, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find themselves caught up in the same thread of destiny in the darkest days of the twentieth century, struggling to keep their families intact, and tied together by the music of the same harmonica.

User reviews

LibraryThing member reader1009
children's historical fiction (middlegrade 5th and up, 1930-40s Germany and U.S.). Reviewed from uncorrected ARC. Reminds me of "the Invention of Hugo Cabret" in that it's a long book that reads quickly, and that also is boy-friendly (3 out of the 4 intertwined stories feature boys as the central
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characters, so for those readers who won't read stories deemed too "girly" there you go). Themes include: persecution by Hitler of those sympathetic to the Jewish people; the plight of orphans during the Depression era (fostering as a way to procure cheap child labor); Japanese internment during the 40s and segregation of Latino immigrant children in schools (during the same period); and lots of families missing and waiting to hear from their enlisted sons away at war (as well as the many things people did to support the war efforts from home).
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LibraryThing member krau0098
I got a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program to review. This was a wonderful middle grade read that has a bit of a fairy tale feel to it and also delves into the history of World War II. It was very cleverly put together, it kind of reminded me of a children’s Cloud Atlas.

This book
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starts with a fairy tale involving a boy named Otto, a strange prophecy, and a special harmonica. After that we go into the stories of three different children. All of the stories are set during the course of World War II and all of them involve a special harmonica. The first story of that is Friedrich who lives in Germany just as WWII is starting; his father is a musician and their whole family faces persecution by the Nazis both because of a birth defect Friedrich has and because his father plays music with Jews. The second story is set later in WWII in Philadelphia and follows and boy named Mike and his brother. Both boys are orphans and are desperately trying to get adopted into a home that will take both of them. The last story features a girl named Ivy who lives in California and is struggling both with the persecution she faces there because she is Mexican and with the absence of her brother who has gone off to war.

This was a spectacular read that was very unique, incredibly engaging, and amazing to read. I loved the stories of children living through the different years of World War II and how music (and a wonderful harmonica) ended up tying the stories together. Each story ends at a point that will have you absolutely dying to know what happens next. Seriously it was killing me to leave these characters right in the middle of a pivotal point in their lives. However, trust me, you do get closure about what happens to all these characters...even if you have to be patient and wait for that closure until the end.

This book was just so amazing to me. I loved the structure and the common thread through the stories. All of the these characters are tied together by a harmonica, their love of music, and the struggles they are faced with. Then all three of these stories tie into the fairy tale we started with, it is just very well done.. This reminds a bit of Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas, but isn’t quite as complex and is well done especially for a middle grade audience.

The other thing that amazed me was how quickly I got involved in the story and characters. Even after just a couple of pages I cared about these characters and wanted to desperately know what would happen to them. I was just completely engaged in the story, it takes a great author to make characters that suck you in so completely.

Additionally this story did such an excellent job of giving multiple views of an important era in time. Usually WWII books are written from the Jews point of view. In this book we see World War II from the normal German’s perspective, from the perspective of American boys who are peripherally affected, and from a young girl who is in American but feels the impact because of the implications the war has on both her Japanese and Mexican neighbors. This book really shows how widespread the impact of WWII was, but in a way that I think kids can grasp and relate to.

Which brings me to my final glowing remark about this book. I have been struggling to find books on history about WWII that my seven year old can read. He loves history but I am leery of him picking up books from the adult section of the library/book store because I don’t know what type of content they have. This is the absolutely perfect book to introduce kids to WWII in a way that shows the impact the war had...it is engaging, without being overly gory or disturbing. I want my son to learn about the history and horror of war and how it changed the world; however I don’t want him to have nightmares or be emotionally disturbed by the horrors of what the Nazi party did to people….I want to hold off on that for at least a few more years.

I do have one small complaint with this book. It wrapped up too quickly. I know it’s a long book, but it didn’t feel long. I felt like given the epic struggles of these characters to wrap up their lives in a couple short chapters was just a bit too abrupt. It was good closure and I enjoyed it, but it did feel a bit rushed.

Overall this is my favorite book of the year so far and will probably be one of favorites of the year as a whole. This book does so much right. It’s creatively and amazingly put together, the characters and stories are engaging and intriguing. Most of all it does an excellent job of introducing kids/teens/etc to the history of WWII in a way that is engaging and approachable. Oh...and did I mention it’s absolutely impossible to put down! I loved this book. It is one I think everyone could benefit from (and have fun) reading it .
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LibraryThing member bell7
This story starts with a sort of fairy tale (or is it real?) where a boy gets lost in the forest and meets three lost princesses who give him a harmonica and tell him the right person has to receive it for them to be free. The rest of the story follows the harmonica as it finds new owners in
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Germany during World War 2, Pennsylvania and finally California.

Ryan's writing and storytelling and the ethereal feel of the harmonica and celebration of the importance of music makes for a good tale. I wanted to like ti more than I did. I think that part of my reaction had to do with the format: every time I started getting attached to a character, their story would cut off and I would be introduced to another, leaving us with a cliffhanger until the very end brings the threads together. Also, reading this as an adult, I didn't quite believe in the happy ending even though I would have found it satisfying as a child.
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LibraryThing member amandabock
I read this in one sitting. All 587 pages of it. It's a magnificent exploration of some of the darkest points of the 20th century, the effects of discrimination and hatred, and the power of music to help people get through or rise above it. Definitely one of the best books of the year. These
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stories will stay with me for a long time.
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LibraryThing member St.CroixSue
This is a historical fiction J title by Ryan, who is a masterful storyteller weaving together many short tales that are connected by a harmonica that has mystical origins. All of the stories involve children who have significant struggles in their lives.
LibraryThing member brangwinn
Ryan has written a story of four people, who don’t know each other but have had the same harmonica in their possession. Frustrating as you read it, because each person’s story just stops and the reader is left wondering what the heck just happened…that is until you get to the end and you cry
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because it came together so beautifully. Each “owner” of the harmonica has had to face huge challenges from the Nazis in Germany, to the fear of separations from a brother in the process of adoption during the Great Depression, to living in the unequal world of education for Hispanics in California during World War II. Ryan has written a book in which fantasy and historical fiction meld perfectly.
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LibraryThing member muddyboy
Four stories in one book all well developed and interconnected about young people. There is a heavy musical theme in the novel with the main focus being on the harmonica. I believe young adults will enjoy and embrace this book which deals effectively with issues like parental loss, injustice and
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racism. Music, however, is the central thread that ties these stories together. As an adult I felt that the ending was just a little too neat with every issue being resolved but I remember when I was young and this is exactly what I would have wanted. In the book on CD version there was much nice instrumental music but when the narrators sang I wanted to plug my ears most of the time.
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LibraryThing member Melina_Hiatt_Easter
I read this massive book in less than two days. Honestly, it's not a book you just read, but it's a book you also listen to. Using the power of music, a little fairy tale magic, and uproarious settings of the Great Depression and World War II eras, Pam Munoz Ryan introduces us to three characters
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whose life intertwine in the most beautiful of symphonies in order to save a life. From a heart pounding escape from Nazis to the heart tugging scenes of orphans finding a true home to being brave enough to break racial barriers, this book is sure to find a home in someone's soul. It's a perfect companion to Neil Bascomb's The Nazi Hunters.
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LibraryThing member acargile
Echo is one of those unusual structure novels. With magical realism, Ms. Ryan creates three beautiful stories.

The novel begins with a fairy tale of sorts about a lost boy and three discarded princesses, presumed dead. They rescue him and give him the task of passing along a harmonica that is
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magically gifted to help those who need it. What follows are three stories of people who were magically given the harmonica.

The first story is set in Germany, 1933. Friedrich, his father, and his uncle are not followers of Hitler, but Hitler has taken over. It’s the time in Germany when people pledged their allegiance to Hitler or disappear to Dacchau. Friedrich is bullied, so his father arranges for him to work at the harmonica factory and be “home schooled.” Friedrich dreams of conducting and attending the music academy soon. When his family draws the attention of the Hitler forces, they must flee.

The second story takes place in Pennsylvania, 1935. Mike and Frankie live in an orphanage where the mistress sells off the boys and their belongings to make money. Mike is determined to stay together with Frankie. When lawyers arrive to buy a piano, the headmistress calls on Mike and Frankie to play the piano, as Mike is gifted. They are adopted by a woman who wanted a little girl, but the lawyer brought these two boys home instead. It’s not a good situation. Perhaps they can join the harmonica band and tour the country in order to stay together.

The third story in southern California, 1942. World War II is in full swing. Ivy is the daughter of itinerant workers. They have been hired to move to a Japanese farm to watch over it while the family is in a Japanese United States internment camp. The neighbor is convinced the “Japs” were spies. Ivy only sees a family trying to make ends meet who loved music. Ivy loves music and plays her harmonica, bringing tears to the audience’s eyes. Ivy only wants the Japanese family’s property to be left alone so they can return to a beautiful home.

All three stories end in the final section, taking place in 1951 at Carnegie Hall. There’s a final section bringing the lost boys and three princesses to their home as well.

I absolutely loved the stories. I didn’t love the ending--it was exactly what I was expecting but anti-climatic. I thought there would be a clever author twist, written beautifully with some universal truth. I like the concept of the book, but I don’t think she pulled it off. It’s totally worth reading because of the three stories but don’t expect to be awed at the end.
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LibraryThing member acargile
Echo is one of those unusual structure novels. With magical realism, Ms. Ryan creates three beautiful stories.

The novel begins with a fairy tale of sorts about a lost boy and three discarded princesses, presumed dead. They rescue him and give him the task of passing along a harmonica that is
Show More
magically gifted to help those who need it. What follows are three stories of people who were magically given the harmonica.

The first story is set in Germany, 1933. Friedrich, his father, and his uncle are not followers of Hitler, but Hitler has taken over. It’s the time in Germany when people pledged their allegiance to Hitler or disappear to Dacchau. Friedrich is bullied, so his father arranges for him to work at the harmonica factory and be “home schooled.” Friedrich dreams of conducting and attending the music academy soon. When his family draws the attention of the Hitler forces, they must flee.

The second story takes place in Pennsylvania, 1935. Mike and Frankie live in an orphanage where the mistress sells off the boys and their belongings to make money. Mike is determined to stay together with Frankie. When lawyers arrive to buy a piano, the headmistress calls on Mike and Frankie to play the piano, as Mike is gifted. They are adopted by a woman who wanted a little girl, but the lawyer brought these two boys home instead. It’s not a good situation. Perhaps they can join the harmonica band and tour the country in order to stay together.

The third story in southern California, 1942. World War II is in full swing. Ivy is the daughter of itinerant workers. They have been hired to move to a Japanese farm to watch over it while the family is in a Japanese United States internment camp. The neighbor is convinced the “Japs” were spies. Ivy only sees a family trying to make ends meet who loved music. Ivy loves music and plays her harmonica, bringing tears to the audience’s eyes. Ivy only wants the Japanese family’s property to be left alone so they can return to a beautiful home.

All three stories end in the final section, taking place in 1951 at Carnegie Hall. There’s a final section bringing the lost boys and three princesses to their home as well.

I absolutely loved the stories. I didn’t love the ending--it was exactly what I was expecting but anti-climatic. I thought there would be a clever author twist, written beautifully with some universal truth. I like the concept of the book, but I don’t think she pulled it off. It’s totally worth reading because of the three stories but don’t expect to be awed at the end.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
I hope that I'm wrong, but I think that this will be one of those classic books that is loved by adults and not really appreciated by the younger audience of teens that it targets. I think the size of the book will intimidate many potential readers and I think the confusion of the fairy tale set up
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story, and then the three stories (Germany, 1933 with Friedrich Schmidt during Hitler's rise to power, Philadelphia, 1935, with two orphaned brothers, Frankie and Mike Flannery and then the home of migrant workers in Southern Caifornia, 1942 with Ivy Maria Lopez) will be enough to confuse all but the most avid readers. I've already recommended the story to our music teacher, because of the music talk and quotes that are embedded throughout the tale. Will be REALLY interested to see what 11, 12, 13 year olds think of it. There's no question that it's a spectacular story, but I'm just not convinced that it will be beloved by our tween/teen readers.
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LibraryThing member paula-childrenslib
Lost in the Black Forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and finds himself entwined in a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica--and decades later three children, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find themselves caught up in the same thread of destiny in the
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darkest days of the twentieth century, struggling to keep their families intact, and tied together by the music of the same harmonica.
Wonderful audiobook where many of the pieces talked about in the book are played.
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LibraryThing member gregresch
Very entrancing book that draws you into 3 significant points in history and connects the reader to what real life struggles may have been like.
LibraryThing member Dmtcer
This is the story of a magical harmonica that is sent on a quest to ultimately save a life, and to fulfill a prophecy for three sisters. Otto meets the sisters in the Black Forest and makes the harmonica that travels from a scared brave boy in 1930's Germany, then to an orphan who wants to protect
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his brother, then to a young girl in California who wants a home and stability. All of the characters have a passion for music, and their stories are linked together in a distinct way. The size of the book is a little daunting - well over 500 pages, but it is captivating and easy to read, and the extra white space in the margins makes the reading easier.
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
Friedrich is a musical boy in 1933 Germany, where political tensions run high. His outspoken father, recently retired from the Hohner harmonica factory where Friedrich and his uncle Gunter still work, opposes Hitler and his ideas about racial purity -- but Friedrich's older sister Elisabeth has
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just started getting involved with the League of German Girls. When Friedrich, who was born with a port wine stain covering half of his face, is in danger from the new regime and his father is in danger for speaking out against it, what will become of Friedrich and his family?

Mike is a scrappy orphan in 1935 Philadelphia. Above all else, he wants to stay together with his younger brother Frankie, but it's rare for two orphans to be placed together from their orphanage. When, against the odds, the two brothers are placed with a wealthy lady, Mike knows it's too good to be true. The lady wanted a girl, not two boys. Mike knows that Frankie, with his winning personality, can charm their new guardian -- and perhaps he can find his own place in the world, maybe even in Hoxie's Philadelphia Harmonica Band. Is there any way that the brothers can stay together, or will Mike have to sacrifice to give Frankie his best chance?

Ivy is a migrant worker's daughter in 1942 California. Her father has just gotten a good job managing a farm for a Japanese resident who has been relocated to a internment camp, and Ivy is crushed because that will mean moving away from her favorite teacher and her best friend, just days before she was to have a solo in her class harmonica concert on the radio. In her new home, Ivy is dismayed to discover that the school system is segregated and Mexican students are bused to a separate elementary school. In facing this injustice in her life, she also reflects on the greater injustice faced by Japanese residents like the Yamamoto family who own the farm where her father now works. But when Ivy and her mother go to the Yamamoto house to check for rodents or any other damage, Ivy finds a mysterious locked door at the back of a closet. What secrets have the house's owners hidden away? Are they really enemies of America, as some of the neighbors believe?

This is a hefty chunk of a book, since it is really three books in one, tied together with a fairy-tale-like frame story and a unique harmonica that makes its way into the hands of each of the three children in turn. However, I found it a fast, well-paced read with interesting characters and a gripping plot. The dialogue is a little teach-y in spots, but not enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book. I liked how the author tied the events of each story together at the end of the book. In my opinion, the frame story was the weakest bit of the book, but perhaps that was just because I was expecting historical fiction and the fantasy element seemed slightly out of place. Nevertheless, this is a good book that will be enjoyed by both young readers and adults.
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LibraryThing member lindamamak
How a small article like a Harmonica could travel through time and weave its story through history and time.
LibraryThing member quirkylibrarian
I love Munoz Ryan and her skillful, thoughtful storytelling for younger teens/tweens. Maybe I was in a bad place when I read this, but it wasn't my favorite: dialog was stilted and forced, likely an outcome of having to relay history for the contemporary reader. The opening sequence with the
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sisters was attention getting and the individual stories of the three children whose lives the harmonica changed were all engaging, but somehow, an overall sense of meh. Still, to add this to a curriculum in school to put into real context the challenges faced by the different children would be terrific.
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LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Freidrich's, Mike's and Ivy's happy outcomes are predictable (with a couple of twists) and supporting characters are emphatically on the "good" or "villainous" side of historic events. No matter. This is a feel-good epic for young readers with compelling storylines and a touch of fairy-tale magic.
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And if it moves them to learn to play harmonica, so much the better.
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
Worthy of the 2016 Newbery Honor award, this captivating book weaves a rich tapestry of three separate stories with the common link of a magical harmonica.

Often when writers try to take on the trappings of separate stories, it falls flat. Not so in the writing of this author. The writing is as
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magical as the tale. Three young adults face adversity and struggle to find the right path.

In the first tale we meet Friedrich Schmidt, who is well loved by his sister and father, but, because of a severe facial birth defect, is shunned and ridiculed by many of his peers. The setting is Nazi Germany and Hitler's obsession of perfection. Frederick is different, and in the time of Hitler, a young boy with a marked face who pretends to conduct the symphony, stands out among all. Discovering a magical harmonica, perfect in pitch, brings comfort to Friedrich.

Tale two is the story of Michael, and once again he is another child who faces difficult situations in his young life He and his younger brother live in an orphanage run by a misery, nasty woman. Finding the harmonica brings much needed great joy as Michael knows the clock is ticking and he and his brother might be separated.

The final tale is that of Ivy who loves her close-knit family. Migrant workers who travel from location to location, Ivy faces name calling and a system in 1942 southern California where the migrant children and separated in school from the non-migrant children. When her brother enlists, he is sent to war. The magical harmonica once again brings solace and special talent to a child emotionally in need.

The three stories are woven together seemlessly..

My only quarrel is an ending that seemed to be quickly put together, placed hurriedly in a box, slapped with a red ribbon.

3.5 Stars
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LibraryThing member PeggyDean
I have been a Pam Munoz Ryan fan for many years, but I think this book is her masterpiece. As she weaves together the strands of her story, Ryan's writing is luminous and heart-aching. From World War II Germany, to Pennsylvania and California, lives are transformed by the power of music and the
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concept of home. This book is for all ages, not just children, and should be shared with family and friends.
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LibraryThing member Artzylibrarian
I loved this story! This is one of those books you sit down to read and you are transported to another place. I couldn't put it down and as I read the ending I thought "Yes! Such a wonderful conclusion that didn't leave me hanging but made the story feel compete!"
LibraryThing member ewyatt
In this series of interwoven narratives linked together by a harmonica, music infuses this story. Beautifully written and touching. It starts almost as if a fairy tale where Otto gets a prophecy, quest, and harmonica while lost in the forest. The story then follows Fredrich in Germany, Mike in
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Pennsylvania, and Ivy in Georgia.
The audiobook has many harmonica interludes.
Toward the end of the book, the stories are intertwined and given resolution. Several lines repeat throughout the book and the image of a thread of fate that connects all the people in the story, even if the characters themselves don't realize how they are connected.
I wonder how much appeal this would hold for middle school students.
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LibraryThing member EllsbethB
This is a good book that tells the stories of several different people. It is a varied collection of characters and perspectives that highlights the influence of music.
LibraryThing member paula-childrenslib
Lost in the Black Forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and finds himself entwined in a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica--and decades later three children, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find themselves caught up in the same thread of destiny in the
Show More
darkest days of the twentieth century, struggling to keep their families intact, and tied together by the music of the same harmonica.
Wonderful audiobook where many of the pieces talked about in the book are played.
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LibraryThing member juniperSun
Excellent drama focused around WWII with a fantasy introduction. This book has 5 sections each with new characters in different time periods & locations which might be a little confusing for younger readers who are used to a continuous story line. All the tales are connected by a harmonica that is
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found by a child in each of the sections, so the power of music to bring sway emotions positively is a major theme. If you can wrap your head around leaving one story just at a crisis moment, however, they all come together quite nicely at the end.
Friedrich, in 1933 Germany, is persecuted for the birthmark on his face. His family is struggling to do good while the Nazis are controlling what is permitted.
Mike and his little brother Frankie have been orphaned in Philadelphia, 1935. They vow to never be separated, but this is difficult when the orphanage is more concerned with getting as much profit out of the business as it can.
Ivy is the daughter of Latino parents in 1945 California. She is saddened to leave her best friend when her family moves to a new county where they have a chance to earn their own home. Stability is important, as is getting an education...not easy when the new county has separate schools for children with Spanish surnames and those European-derived. Her brother joins the Army, their new employer is of Japanese descent & has been sent to an interment camp, and their closest neighbors are mourning the death of one of their sons at Pearl Harbor.
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Awards

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee — 2017)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2017)
Kirkus Prize (Finalist — Young Readers' Literature — 2015)
Audie Award (Finalist — 2016)
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Finalist — Young Adult — 2015)
Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — Grades 6-8 — 2018)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2017)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2018)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2018)
Newbery Medal (Honor Book — 2016)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee — 2018)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2017)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 2017)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2017)
Odyssey Award (Honor — 2016)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2018)
Junior Library Guild Selections (Selection — 2015)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Middle Grades — 2016)
Children's Favorites Awards (Selection — 2016)
Notable Children's Book (Middle Readers — 2016)
Nerdy Book Award (Middle Grade Fiction — 2015)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Fiction for Older Readers — 2015)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2015

Physical description

592 p.; 6.1 inches

ISBN

0439874025 / 9780439874021

Local notes

young readers
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