Echo is the story of three tragic tales intertwined through the voice of a harmonica. The harmonica is introduced to the reader in the beginning of the novel, and it is continued throughout three stories of youth. In the first tale, Friedrich is a boy growing up in Nazi Germany in 1933. Hitler has risen to power, and the constant threat of persecution is real and ever present Friedrich, his father, and his Uncle Gunther. After a school situation, due to a birthmark on his face, Friedrich’s father removes him from school to avoid further bullying. Friedrich then joins his father at the music factory where he helps manufacture musical instruments. When impending danger threatens the family, Friedrich is faced with the challenges of keeping the family together and saving his father. The story follows the harmonica to Mike in Pennsylvania where he is a ward of the state after his grandmother gives custody of him and his brother to a group home, Mike and his brother rely on their musical skills in the hope of having an opportunity at family life. The journey then leads to Ivy, a girl who is gifted at the harmonica and is asked by a radio station to perform on the air. Before she performs, her father makes a pivotal decision to move the family to a farm where a Japanese family has been deported to an internment camp. They will take over their farm until the return of the family. The final part of the book details how the harmonica and music bring the three together.
Echo is written as a beautiful historical fiction tale. In each story, the characters and the harmonica depict life for people throughout the turmoil of World War II. In Friedrich’s story, we learn of the persecution of those with disabilities and opposition to Hitler’s ideals and principles. Mike and his brother are given up by their grandmother in the face of The Great Depression and pre-war preparation in America. Finally, Ivy gives us the perspective of a girl who is recognizing the prejudice of Americans to that of Japanese Americans and Mexican Americans. This book is one that will teach perspective and the way in which families are tied together no matter the distance or circumstance. Each family tries to save what they view as their family. The author uses characterization to build the connections the reader makes with the characters. In each part ends with a cliffhanger. It isn’t until the end of the novel that all three stories are tied together. This is an amazing piece of historical fiction and perspective.
Historical Fiction (WWII) Brooke Gerlach, Manheim Central MS
