The Cello of Mr. O

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!

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.

This story takes place during wartime. Fathers and brothers have left to fight. Only women, children and the elderly are left to struggle in this war bisieged area. The story is told from a little girl's point of view. I enjoyed this book so much that I couldn't wait to share it with my second grade students. They were shocked by the living conditions and very touched by this book. I highly recommend this touching story for children and adults!

This is an excellent book about how music calms the spirits of children and their families in a war torn country. This story is written in such a way that it could take place in any country or city undergoing war.

I found this book to be beautifully illustrated as well as artfully comunicated with a very dramatic message about the power of music. I am curious to know whether the story is based on the cellist Vedran Smailovic who played in the streets of Sarajevo for 22 days in 1992 after 22 people were massacred in a mortar attack in Bosnia. Even though the reading level is designated for 4-8 year olds, the thematic content is appropriate for people of all ages. This book is a gem!