This is one of those very powerful shorter books that would be perfect for your reluctant readers in Grade 6 or 7. The reporter is told not to ask 'The Mozart Question'. Why? Paulo decides to tell his story of survival during the holocaust. This is not a book for young readers. Concentration camps and gas chambers are mentioned. Make sure you take a close look at the cover.
Michael Foreman adds his usual fabulous water colour art to this book:
Sadly, this book from 2007 is out of print but I am sure it will be easy to find a in many libraries.
... it is Paulo himself who decides that the time has come for the truth to be told. And so follows the story of his parents in a concentration camp, forced to play Mozart violin concertos for the enemy; how they watched fellow Jews being led off to death and knew that as long as they were played they themselves would live. (read about the stage play of this book)
You can read background notes from Michael Morpurgo here.
Publisher blurb: When Lesley is sent to Venice to interview world-renowned violinist Paulo Levi on his fiftieth birthday, she cannot believe her luck. She is told that she can ask him anything at all – except the Mozart question. But it is Paulo himself who decides that the time has come for the truth to be told. And so follows the story of his parents in a Jewish concentration camp, forced to play Mozart violin concerti for the enemy; how they watched fellow Jews being led off to their deaths and knew that they were playing for their lives. As the story unfolds, the journalist begins to understand the full horror of war – and how one group of musicians survived using the only weapon they had.
This book caught my eye at a recent charity book sale because I recognised the format. I previously read (and enjoyed) these books - the series doesn't seem to have an official name but they are published by Walker Books UK.
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