Echo

By: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews, Mark Bramhall, David deVries, Corky Siegel

Audie Award, Middle Grade, 2016

Music, magic, and a real-life miracle meld in this virtuosic, genre-defying tour de force from storytelling maestro Pam Muñoz Ryan.

Lost and alone in the forbidden Black Forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. Decades later Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each becomes interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives, binding them by an invisible thread of destiny. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. How their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo will resound in your heart long after the last note has been struck.

Richly imagined and structurally innovative, Echo pushes the boundaries of form and shows us what is possible in how we tell stories. With music by Corky Siegel.

©2015 Pam Muñoz Ryan (P)2015 Scholastic Inc.

Critic reviews

"A riveting exploration of that which destroys and that which heals." (AudioFile)

Magnificant! Perfection!

Echo was written for late pre-teens and early teens. It is perfect for its target audience, but most adults will also enjoy it immensely. There are 4 stories and four main characters woven together with music being the common theme. If ever a book were written for the audiobook format, Echo is that book. Echo is sure to become a classic.

The journey of the magical harmonica

I enjoyed how the stories all wove through each other and it all ended with a beautiful ending knot. I toy with the harmonica now and then, and I love music and this story endeared itself to me even more because music is such an integral part of this story. I loved it!!

This ain’t no cheap scholastic kid book.

I rarely open up my heart this much to a book but it is well worth it.

10 year old boy

My 10 year old couldn't stop listening to this book. He loved how all the characters tied together.

Magic

This is simply, heart-swelling lay lovely. One of the best I have listened to in my thirteen years as an audible member. And yes, I am well out of the YA age demographic.

I found this book better than I thought it would be

I payed really close attention to this book because I am doing a book report on it I liked how musical it was and even a little bit of magic this book will get me to want to play my instrument far more.

best performance I've ever heard!

Beautiful stories that are woven together with an unexpected ending. but the best part is by far the amazing performances!

Heart soared

I loved this book and all the performances. I am very glad I listened to it rather than reading as the music and narrations enhanced the experience so much. I particularly enjoyed Rebecca's narration of Ivy.

enchanting

what a lovely musical fairytale. I was totally enthralled and loved every minute of it.

Enchanting!

I love how the author weaved and connected the mini stories together! There was many times the story made me smile! Well done!