Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki - ESSENTIAL

Uegaki, Chieri. Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin, PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2014. $16.95. Content: G. 

Even though Hana Hashimoto is just a beginner, she is going to play her violin in the school talent show. She practices and practices while the rest of her family either kindly listen (her parents) or run away in despair (her older brothers). She practices in front of her grandfather’s photograph and imagines the beautiful sounds he made on his violin when she visited him in Japan. On the night of the talent show, she remembers his encouraging words as she surprises the audience with her own kind of music. 

This book really made me smile. I loved the connection Hana had with her family and her determination to make her music perfect because of motivation and practice (which were really refreshing qualities to see in a child). The pictures, text, and storyline are very well done and create the total package for this book.  

EL – ESSENTIAL. Reviewed by: Shay, School Librarian