While this is a fiction story, it is based on real life events. Many Jews had their art taken from them in the holocaust, and that included their music and their ability to play it. An organization called Violins for Hope uses old violins from the Holocaust, refurbishes them, and put them to use in a special orchestra that helps people remember why the holocaust was such a bad thing. This story was educational and entertaining. It did a great job of fulfilling both roles. ( )

This book is fiction which mimics real events in history. It is the tale of a beloved violin which was stolen from the family who revered and played it and disrespected by a people who waged war. After the war not everyone came home and some had no possessions at all. But some of the musical instruments were found and in sad shape. These were taken to those who repair violins and other stringed instruments (called luthiers). There they are resurrected and sold to those who appreciate the music they give.
The illustrations by Juliana Oakley (an illustrator from Latvia living in Bahrain) are clear, simple, colorful, and expressive.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, especially to a school, church library, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Lerner Publishing Group | Kar-Ben Publishing ® via NetGalley. Thank you! Pub Date Nov 05, 2024
Violins of Hope is a project of concerts based on a private collection of Violins, violas and cellos all collected since the end of World War 2.
#NeverForget #NeverAgainIsNow #ViolinsofHope ( )

"Papa plays beautiful music on the violin, until the night when there is a pounding on the door and a Nazi soldier snatches the violin away. Dumped in a cellar for years, the violin warps and cracks until one day a luthier finds it and determines to fix it. A man buys the violin for his son, remembering that his grandfather played the violin before the war. The boy practices every day, eventually becoming a violinist and traveling the world, filling concerts halls with the music of hope."