Friday, November 15, 2013

"Passing the Music Down" by Sarah Sullivan and Illustrated by Barry Root (Review & Giveaway)

ISBN13: 9780763637538
Candlewick Press - Hardback - $16.99
Music is an art form that traditionally is shared with the young by older musicians - classroom music teachers, choir leaders, individual instrument instructors, parents, relatives, etc. Then when the child exhibits a true talent, more intense training is begun. But it is still something that is passed along. It is shared. It is taught. The fervor is shared and contagious.

In Passing the Music Down, the author has recorded in beautifully expressive lyrical language the true story of  Melvin Wine, aged Appalachian fiddler, and young Jake Krack who  greatly desires to play the fiddler just like Mr. Wine. So Jake's parents take the boy to hear the fiddler and to play for the aged fiddler. Then the fiddler invites the boy to come visit and learn from him.

They visit and finally they move nearby. The boy spends much time around the fiddler's homeplace helping with daily chores and then they relax in the evening on the porch and play their fiddles.

This beautifully illustrated book takes you to the hills of West Virginia shrouded in mist resplendent in beauty. You see the age and gentleness of the old fiddler and the hope and desire of the young boy. You see the comfort of a warm fire and the joy of the moment. 
Their lives are stitched together
in a quilt of old-time tunes.
          Passing the music down.
This is a lovely book that should be in the collection of every elementary school and public library.

GIVEAWAY:  Candlewick Press has graciously provided a copy for one of Chat With Vera's readers to vie for and one winner will receive his own copy. Begins November 15 & ENDS December 5 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to US mainland addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway 
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Candlewick for the purpose of this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. No compensation was received for this review. 

26 comments:

  1. I don't know the difference between a fiddle and a violin. Maybe the price???
    I love how both sound though.

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  2. I think I'd like to read A Monster Calls

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  3. I'd love to win it for my students. In one of our reading stories, there is a story All About Musical Instruments. I think it would be nice to have a fiction story along with the non-fiction story. Thanks for the chance to win! The ages of my students are 8-10.

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  4. i have never played a fiddle but wish I could. I have watched country music stars play and love it. Thanks for a chance to win this book.Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  5. I have never attended and don't know how. Honestly I am not sure I would know the difference

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    1. I once thought the difference in fiddling and true violin performance was skill of performer. That may still in essence be true. I thought that fiddling was "by ear playing" a violin. After reading this and doing a tiny bit of research I see that the strings, placement of strings, and bridge can be somewhat different on a fiddle than on a violin. They are, though, essentially, the same instrument. I like to thin of fiddling as the "Peoples" music played unashamedly by talented though not necessarily classically train musicians. Each style has its own sound and its own place. I am so glad that there is music to express the heart and brighten our days.

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    2. My husband plays the violin, and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know this! Thanks for sharing this book at Booknificent Thursday! It looks wonderful!
      Tina

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  6. I would like the "Over the River and Through the Woods (Hardbook)
    Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  7. I have seen fiddling live and so have my kids. At Disneyland in Frontierland at the Saloon. The live show is a lot of fun. (I think that they also have fiddling at Dollywood but I have not been to that park in a while)

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  8. I am interested in Lady Liberty - A Biography since we watched the original Planet of the Apes with our kids (they were not really paying attention and they call it the monkey movie). When the movie got to the last scene where Charleston Heston sees the Statue of Liberty, one of them asked "what is that, what is the big deal" so I think that they safely missed the political message of the movie.

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  9. I love a little fast fiddlin' and toe-tapping music! What a cute little book!

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  10. I would like Patrick eats the Peas! For the fussy eaters I know!

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  11. I have been to different shows that have fiddlers and I loved it. I can't play the fiddle. The only difference I know between a fiddle and a violin is when the music is played. Violin music seems to be a smooth playing where fiddle music is more chopping. That's the only way I can explain it. I know the difference when I hear it.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. I would love to read "Kennedy Assassinated! The World Mourns" A Reporter's Story.

    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. I have never attended a live performance of fiddler, and I can not play the fiddle.

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  14. I would like to read The Master of Deceit, a biography of J. Edgar Hoover.

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  15. I have never been to a live performance, I can not play but I do know the difference.

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  16. I have a couple of friends that play the violin and fiddle, so yes I have been to a live performance. I always thought the difference was just the style of music (i.e. classical). One of my friends plays cajun music with his "fiddle"

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  17. I knew some friends in high school that played the fiddle! It's a lot faster and more upbeat!!

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  18. I would like to read What Color is My World? about the history of African American inventors. Sounds very interesting!

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  19. This is for a music teacher I know!

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  20. I've attended fiddle & violin performances. My father and my son play classical violin.

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  21. Different Like Coco would be my desired biography choice.

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  22. I think my boys would love the book "Dinosaurology"

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  23. I only vaguely know the difference between fiddling and playing the violin (in terms of technique)... I love the sound of both, though!

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