A Song for Lena

Written by Hilary Horder Hippely · Illustrated by Leslie Baker

A beggar's violin music lingers in the night after he vanishes, leaving a family with a haunting melody.

4.2 Goodreads · 31 ratings

40 pages· 580L

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

While making apple strudel with her grandmother, Lena hears a tale of a mysterious beggar in Hungary. Each year, he returns for strudel, repaying with haunting violin music. One year, he vanishes, leaving only his melody in the night. What secrets does his absence hold? Discover the magic and mystery woven into this family tradition.

From the publisher

As Lena helps her grandmother make apple strudel, the woman tells her a story about her childhood in Hungary. One day, she and a friend are approached by a wandering beggar. They race to the house, frightened, but Mother decides that the man should have some of their just-made strudel. He repays their kindness by playing sweet, sad music on his violin. Each year he returns, has his piece of strudel, and plays, until finally one season the harvest comes, but the beggar does not. Father says that Perhaps our friend isn’t hungry anymore. He tells the children to listen closely, and they hear the wanderer’s music in the sounds of the country night. A recipe for strudel is included.

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