Play to the Angel

Greta was a piano player in Vienna, Austria in 1938. Her brother Kurt died about a year before and her mother is starting to get insane migraines. But those wont stop Greta from dreaming of becoming a famous pianist. She is different from all the girls in school. And now that her best friend Erica has moved to America, she truly feels alone sometimes. Even her neighbor Frau Vogel can't help her that is until she tells Greta about a piano teacher that lives in the apartment next door. She goes to the apartment one day but no one is there. She walks in to find a beautiful grand piano. She takes out some music and begins to play when Herr Hummel startles her. They eat and start to talk. By the time Greta leaves she has agreed to take piano lessons from him for free. She keeps this a secret from her mother for a while but when Herr Hummel brings up that he wants Greta to play at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts. Greta begins to practice music from Scarlatti and Mendelssohn for her recital. Finally the day of her performance comes. Her and her mother had gotten in a fight earlier that day but Greta had hoped that she could still make it. To her surprise her mother didn't arrive. When the recital was over Greta and Herr Hummel were rushed back to Herr Hummel's apartment where they found Frau Vogel and Greta's mother with an injured ankle. Apparently the Nazi's had invaded Austria and while Greta's mother was running out of the shop where she works she sprained her ankle. Soon one of Herr Hummel's old students Rudolf Beck, who Greta and Herr Hummel had seen while they were in the city, has sent the SS for Herr Hummel. Greta is in Herr Hummel's apartment when the SS came in tearing the place up looking for things. That is when she finds out that Herr Hummel is actually famous pianist Karl von Englehart, and that he is wanted for helping Jews escape the Nazi's. When the SS men leave Greta remembers the money and passports in Herr Hummel's desk and takes them across town to the Academy where he is with one of the directors. He tells Greta that he is going to Prague and that he will contact her when he is safe. Later Greta receives a letter from him saying that he is on his way to America. Greta and her mother escape the Nazi's by going to live with family in Switzerland. This book is good for students who like to learn about the affects of WW2 and who study music. This book shows students that no matter what they can always make their dreams come true. In the beginning of the book Greta has suffered a great lose in her life, her brother Kurt, who also played piano, died and her mother is becoming very irritable. Her mother used to always have fun with them and enjoy listening to Kurt play the piano but now every time Greta touches it she says she has a headache and wants to rest. Also her mother almost sold the piano and Greta began to greatly doubt she could ever become a concert pianist. Greta also doesn't fit in with many girls in her school.

Greta Radky loves to play the piano. In Vienna, Austria, in 1938, the shadow of Hitler and Nazi Germany is looming. Greta's brother, a talented and promising young pianist has recently died. She finds comfort sorting through his music, Scarlatti, Schumann, Bach, Chopin and Clementi. Her mother's grief is so deep that she cannot stand listening to Greta practice and is talking about selling the piano. Greta finds the strength to pursue her talent with the support of the mysterious Herr Hummel, a wonderful piano teacher who recognizes her gift. This book is a sensitive story of hope and courage in dangerous times. The author's knowledge of music and musicians gives the story authenticity. This is the kind of story that inspires young readers to study music. I LOVED this book.

When her brother dies, Greta Radky is left lonely; her mother doesn't love her as much as her deseased brother, her best friend moved away, and her father pulled a disappearing act when she was younger. The one way she finds joy is through the piano, which her mother wants to sell. When a piano teacher moves in across the street, she convinces her mother to let her take lessons and keep the piano. But her teacher, Herr Hummel is on the run from the Nazis. After her first recital, she finds that Hitler has taken over Austria, and is worried for her teacher.This book was incredible with a good insight on the war. I liked the plot very much.

I loved this book. I liked it because the history did not have anything to do with the book intil the end. It is about a girl named Greta who is living in Austria at the time of the rise of Nazi Germany. She loves to play piano, but her mother does not want her to play because it reminds her of Greta's deceased brother who was very good at piano. Greta is a very shy girl and not very brave, but that made her a good character to read about.

The characters, especially Greta and Herr Hummel, are strongly drawn and sympathetic. The story is nicely paced and gives readers a good idea of everyday life in Vienna on the eve of the Nazi invasion. Although the political situation is the backdrop for the story, the main focus is on Greta herself--her emotional vulnerability, resourcefulness, determination, integrity, and personal growth. The book touches on a number of issues important to teenagers, especially girls: mother-daughter interaction, sibling rivalry, school friendships, development of self-confidence, and physical changes associated with growing up. Broader issues include Greta's loss of a beloved brother, her dawning political awareness, and her courage in the face of evil. Readers are also given deep insights into the development of a young musician: the teacher-student relationship, the overcoming of stage fright ("let the music drive away the fear"), and the discipline and determination required for success as a performer. The pages abound with delightful passages, including the following examples:"The longer I played, the more the piano seemed an extension of myself, instead of a separate thing that I moved my fingers on." [p. 84]"The two horrid-looking études bared their teeth, daring me to try them." [p. 108]"I felt as if I had a sign on me that said, LOOK! GIRL WEARING FIRST BRA!" [p. 111]"Only a few little clouds, as light and delicate as a Viennese waltz, drifted across the deep turquoise sky." [p. 135]"I was in perfect control, making some notes as wispy as a bird's breath, others as crisp as winter stars." [pp. 142-3]Although intended for teenagers, this novel will also be enjoyable for older readers, who will be reminded of best-loved books from their own school years.