Hello My Fellow Book Dragons! I do apologize. The weather here this week was wonderful for all things aquatic but not for needing the internet. The issues are now fixed (so I have been assured) and so it is time for a Gem to examine.
This is quite beautiful, but disquieting. It is a piece of onyx cut in the shape of a musical note. It even gives off a distinct tone, but of a minor key which can feel disheartening if held too long, but admire it, learn it’s lessons and vow not to let them be repeated and the note feels as though it strikes a chord within the heart, the very soul. This is Gem Maker Nathaniel Lande’s “While The Music Played”.
Set in Czechoslovakia before WWII, it is the story of Max Mueller son of the Great Mueller the Orchestra Conductor. Max is barely a teenager, he has the heart of a romantic, full of the desire for adventure, music and life. He has a good friend in David and he has a crush on his dear friend Sophie. Life is good, but Max is a bright boy and can see the writing on the wall as things in Prague slowly change and news trickles in from Austria, Hungary, and other European countries. He also reads the stories his friend Sophie writes.
I loved this book. There have been so many books written about WWII these past two years. I have enjoyed nearly all the ones I have read. Most of these have been from the point of view from a Nazi, a Jewish Concentration Camp Victim, some other type of Concentration Camp Victim or a spy. This one gives us yet another POV. That of the resistance fighter. This is one view I have not read before now and I must say, now I want more.
It is also the POV of teenagers. How it impacts them, how they handle change, separation, uncertainty, stress and the impact of losing much, of hiding what they know to help others and of growing up much more quickly than Max or his friends ever thought possible.
I also loved the fact this is written on about an eighth grade level as far as words and styling go. This means that young people are going to be heavily enticed to read this novel, and I cannot think of anything better for them to read in these times. Famous names are mentioned: Freud, Einstein, Churchill, Wallenberg, Heydrich. There are pictures in the book. The author’s notes give even more food for thought.
Actually a marvelous idea might be to get a copy and read it together as a family. Assign one person to do research each time you read and have them look up the famous person and read a short biography aloud. I can think of so many projects this gift of Lande’s could be used for with young people my brain is on fire!
It is available on Kindle right now for $8.99! Get one today and get your family interested in history! Until tomorrow I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy of this book from #BlackstonePublishing as part of #suzyapprovedbooktours . As always, my opinions are my own.
Tales From The Book Dragon 