Sweet Notes, Sour Notes - Hardcover

Nancy Smiler Levinson

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525673792 ISBN 13: 9780525673798

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers, 1993

Synopsis

After hearing the great violinist Mischa Elman in concert, David cannot get the sweet music out of his head, but when he takes up the violin, he finds that he can only produces screeches and squawks.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

When Zayde, David's grandfather, takes David to hear the great concert artist Mischa Elman, the fourth-grader is entranced and declares, "I want to make the violin sing too." His parents are skeptical, believing his surge of interest to be yet another of David's short-lived enthusiasms, while sister Rose snickers. David persists and, with Zayde's help, a violin is rented and a teacher found. Daunted by the difficulty of learning (and by the emotive Madame Markov), David briefly considers giving up. This invitingly atmospheric vignette effectively captures a prewar urban ambience and, more particularly, the quiet warmth of a closely knit first-generation Jewish family. Peck's softly evocative pencil sketches expand on the reassuringly cozy proceedings of the steady narrative. Levinson's novel, believable and genuinely beguiling, should find a place alongside those of Riki Levinson and Sydney Taylor. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

When Grandpa Zayde takes David to hear concert violinist Mischa Elman, David is so enthralled that he begs his parents for a violin so that he, too, can make it sing. Eventually, an instrument is rented and lessons with imperious Madame Markov begin. Predictably, more practice and patience are required than David had imagined, but his perseverance pays off in time to cheer his sick grandfather (who was never able to realize his own dream of playing the violin) by playing ``Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'' The simple story, depicting a nice, traditional Jewish family of the 20's, reads like an expanded picture book; still, the short chapters, each with its somber but evocative full-page b&w illustration, add up to a pleasant--if quiet-- beginning chapter book. (Fiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0525673792
• ISBN 13: 9780525673798
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 54
• Illustrator: Beth Peck