"Moving. . . A bittersweet account of the power of art in dark times."—Booklist
★ "Text and illustrations work together to remind readers of the power of beauty in the face of human suffering. . . . A highly recommended book that highlights the capacity for empathy and humanity, even in a society faced with violence and war."—School Library Journal, Starred Review
★ "Beauty will always find a way to rise from violence, but this is a reminder all readers need."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"[A] powerful story of a musical performance that defied the horror of combat."—Publishers Weekly
01/30/2017
McCutcheon follows Christmas in the Trenches with another powerful story of a musical performance that defied the horror of combat. During the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, a mortar attack in Sarajevo killed 22 people waiting in line for bread. The next day, a cellist appeared in the square where the attack occurred and played Albinoni’s “Adagio.” Vedran Smailovic played for 22 successive days—one for each victim. McCutcheon’s story introduces Drasko, whose father sells flowers in the marketplace where the massacre occurred. When his father leaves to fight, Drasko takes over the flower stand. After the cellist’s performance, the healing power of Smailovic’s music is seen in Drasko’s impulsive generosity: “Please take them,” he says to a woman buying roses. “Today they are free.” Newcomer Caldwell’s strongly drafted artwork observes the variety of faces in the market square and the classic European architecture that surrounds it. In an afterword, McCutcheon recounts a poignant exchange: “Why are you playing where there is bombing?” a soldier demanded. “Why are you bombing where I am playing?” Smailovic replied. An audio CD is included. Ages 7–10. (Apr.)
★ 04/01/2017
Gr 2–5—Based on a true story, this picture book relates an uplifting tale of how music can help people rise above the horror of war. Twenty-five years ago, civil war raged in Sarajevo. A young boy, Drasko, helps his father sell flowers in the market square. He watches as his father speaks to everyone, regardless of ethnicity or religion, in a country where civil war has pitted various cultures against one another. When his father leaves to join the fighting, Drasko continues at the flower stand. In the square, as people wait in line at the bakery for bread, a bomb is dropped, and 22 people are killed. The next day, and for the following 22 days, a tuxedoed cellist appears in the square and plays music to honor the dead. McCutcheon tells the story through the eyes of young Drasko, who realizes how the beauty of this unexpected music inspires feelings of hope that help to counter the sorrows of war. In response to the music, Drasko does not sell his flowers but gives them away: "Today they are free." Caldwell has framed the central actions of the story and the faces in the crowded market square in beautiful, rich colors against the somewhat faded and blurred background. The flowers, a symbol of hope, are prominently displayed. The classical setting of the architecture of the square deftly contrasts with the upheaval of a society at war, as depicted by the crater left from the bombing. Text and illustrations work together to remind readers of the power of beauty in the face of human suffering. Appended are historical notes. A CD includes an audio version of the tale, narrated by the author, and a musical performance by the story's cellist. VERDICT A highly recommended book that highlights the capacity for empathy and humanity, even in a society faced with violence and war.—Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY
Following a 1992 mortar attack that killed 22 civilians in a Sarajevo market square, cellist Vedran Smailovic performed in the ruins. John McCutcheon is both author and narrator of this picture book based on that event and told in the voice of Drasko, a young boy who sells flowers in the square. McCutcheon's rich baritone voice suits the gravity of the story yet conveys the quick speech and impatience of a boy who is questioning his father while trying to make sense of a world suddenly plagued by war and uncertainty. McCutcheon also imbues Drasko with a sense of optimism as he strives to make Sarajevo beautiful with his flowers. Additional tracks include the story, notes, a page-turn version, the Smailovic cello elegy, an original song, and a conversation with the author. L.T. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
★ 2017-01-17
A fictionalized account of a true story, published for the 25th anniversary of the Bosnian War, in which a young boy learns the healing power of music.Drasko and his father sell flowers in a Sarajevo marketplace. Drasko marvels at the way his father has a kind word (and sometimes even a free flower) for everyone, regardless of race, religion, scowl, or smile. But seemingly overnight, the country is suddenly at war, and Drasko's father must go play a part. Drasko takes over the flower stand, but now people are harried and rushed. One fateful morning, a whistling sound pierces the air. The bakery in the square is bombed, and 22 innocents are killed. The next day the square is silent, until a lone man in a tuxedo carries a chair and cello to the middle of the rubble and begins to play. He does this for 22 consecutive days, one for each of the lives that were lost. McCutcheon frames this story not around the unnamed cellist but around Drasko and the welling spirit of hope that one tiny, unexpected action can inspire. Critically, he does not identify Drasko's ethnicity or religion, emphasizing that "Serb and Croat, Muslim and Christian" are all affected. Smudged, faded backdrops highlight key moments in the framed foregrounds, with deep, jewel-toned roses standing out all the more. An included CD allows readers to hear the story narrated by the author, with an accompanying musical performance by Vedran Smailovic, the story's cellist. Beauty will always find a way to rise from violence, but this is a reminder all readers need. (historical note, further reading, author's note, musical score) (Picture book. 7-10)
