What Charlie Heard

Author: Mordicai Gerstein

 Susan Wojciechowski (Author)

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Illustrator:  Mordicai Gerstein

Publishing information: (Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), March 18, 2002, Ages 9-12)

Number of Pages: 40 pages

Genre: Non Fiction

Summary of Plot:

            Charlie Ives was the main character of the book. He was exposed to lots of music at an early age, and through his life. He loved noise. His father played the trumpet, the violin, the fiddle, and the piano. He soon how to play many of those himself, as well as being skilled in playing the organ. He found music in everything: the church bells, fire trucks, the swish of his mother’s skirt, fireworks, etc. He found a fascinating sound out of two bands playing two different tunes at the same time. He heard people sing hymns, not professionally, but beautifully. His father died. Charley later married a lady named Harmony. He continued to compose his own music which he had started doing, but people didn’t like it. He kept sending his pieces out to the world though. Gradually, as he grew older, they started playing it.  The Boston Symphony played a piece of his, then a famous violinist played one, and it grew more popular from there. His second symphony was played in Carnegie Hall. He continues to be famous, even after he has died.

My Reaction to the book: 

            I connected a lot to this book. I love music. I hear music in everyday activities. Even though I don’t compose music I know what it takes. It is hard work. Charlie was very talented, even if people were not receptive to his music at first. I liked the illustrations; the descriptive words illustrated the noise well. I like how it inspired me to want to learn more. The Authors note at the end of the book helped me learn other things about him that the story didn’t talk about.

           

Potential Problems:

His father died.

Recommendations:

This book teaches a lot about music. Writing music takes hard work. This would be a good book to read in an elementary school music class, or choir. It is suited to children well. It would possibly inspire kids to want to learn me. I was intrigued to want to learn more after I read this. It also teaches the value of a parent’s or a loved one’s example.