The Cello of Mr. O

Rating:
Summary: You Go, Mr. O!
Review: Although The Cello of Mr. O is well-written and beautifully illustrated, it is not a normal picture book. It has a rather disturbing setting - a modern, war-torn city, filled with rubble and under almost constant attack - a theme that is extremely challenging for the average early reader, and an episode that is rather poignant if not downright sad.

The narrator tells of her life in a an unnamed city, where bombs fall every night. Her father is off fighting in the mountains. Her family has no fuel for heat - she worries that, if something does not change before the next winter, they will have to burn their books and furniture to keep warm - and subsist on Red Cross aid delivered by truck. She says that she is "almost always afraid" and "almost always angry." She and her friends hide much of the time; one of their few childish pleasures is exploding bags in front of the apartment belonging to the crabby and reclusive Mr. O, a cellist.

Things get worse in the city after the aid truck that makes deliveries is destroyed; no more deliveries can be made because the trucks are too much of a target. Mr O responds by entering the square in the open and playing his cello at the time when the aid truck would have come - the narrator describes his cello, a special and beautiful object made via the cooperation of people all over the world. Mr. O's playing brings hope to the city, but then his cello is destroyed, just as the truck was. Mr. O does not give up; instead, he continues playing in the same place and at the same time, only now he must use a harmonica.

Although the author tells this story very well, the essential components remain disturbing and tragic - as, I'm sure, she intended. Parents should review this book before reading it to their children, and it is probably not suitable for most children under 8 to read by themselves. Anyone who shares this with a child should be prepared for difficult questions and, from more sensitive kids, either tears or nightmares.

However, this book would make an excellent companion to a classroom unit on war, particularly with middle or high school students. The author does an excellent job of conveying the emotions and life of a child caught in a modern war, and convincingly protrays an act of courage and strength and all it represents. Adults also stand to gain a great deal from the book. I only wish that it was not presented as standard early-reader fare; it is not, on any level.

Rating:
Summary: Doing what you can to stand up for what's good in people
Review: I work as an elementary school librarian and this is one of my very favorite anti-war books. It has such a powerful message about doing what you can to stand up for what's good in people.
It's a great book about heroism, by the way, and about people looking out for each other. I use it with children from ages 7-10. A great discussion starter. This is a book I thrust into everyone's hands. Read it to your kids!

Rating:
Summary: You Go, Mr. O!
Review: Mr. O! You have inspired us with your courage and peaceful spirit. Our love of the cello has grown deeper as has our ability to be touched by the warmth and depth of its song. The Cello of Mr. O is a touching story of the affect that one man and his music had upon a community torn apart in war. Mr. O showed courage and wisdom (and a bit of national pride) as he played his cello in the public eye daily, even in the midst of shelling and the turmoil of war. A young girl tells the story. Her life is unpredictable. Her father is away. Her family has to stand in line for water. She plays with her friends under the stairs and pulls pranks on her neighbor, Mr. O. Yet, as she watches the old man she realizes his talent and becomes familiar with what becomes his predictable appearance on the street with his cello. It calms and entertains the girl and those around her. And his commitment to this community service continues even after the shelling destroys his cello. This is an inspirational story. Touching.

Rating:
Summary: A dose of bittersweet reality
Review: This book was above my almost-four-year-olds head, but I can see the positive educational impact it might have for older children in a classroom setting - perhaps children learning about life in war-torn countries.

The illustrations are beautiful and the story is bittersweet - there's war going on all around the poor narrator and the future is so frightening and uncertain. A neighbor - a cellist - makes a brave move to brighten the lives of his neighbors - just a little bit - and help make them feel less afraid.

I'd recommend this book for mid-level gradeschoolers and be prepared to discuss this further with them, using current/recent events for examples.