A String in the Harp
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1976

A String in the Harp

Written by Nancy Bond

A mysterious harp key reveals ancient secrets, uniting a grieving family against a looming threat.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,830 ratings
370 pages
$8.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Fifteen-year-old Jen Morgan's Christmas in Wales takes a mystical turn when her brother Peter discovers a harp key linked to the legendary bard Taliesin. As the key's powers attract dangerous attention, Jen and her family must unite to protect it and themselves. Can they overcome their grief and the looming threat to preserve their bond and the key's secrets?

From the publisher

A family in mourning…an ancient bard…a harp key that brings them together… When fifteen-year-old Jen Morgan flies to Wales to spend Christmas with her family, she’s not expecting much from the holiday. A year after her mother’s sudden death, her father seems preoccupied by the teaching job that has brought him and Jen’s younger siblings to Wales for the year. Her brother, Peter, is alternately hostile and sullen, and her sister, Becky, misses Jen terribly. Then Peter tells Jen he’s found a strange artifact, a harp key that shows him pictures from the life of Taliesin, the great bard whose life in sixth-century Wales has been immortalized in legend. At first Jen doesn’t believe him, but when the key’s existence – and its strange properties – become known to the wider world, the Morgans must act together against a threat to the key…and to their family.

Awards

Newbery Honor (1977)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1976)
At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
370
Reading age
10–14
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
810L
Themes & topics
Books about siblingsBooks about time travel
For readers who can't stop at one

The next favorite is already out there.

Age-appropriate books selected to help their love of reading grow, delivered right to their door.

Find their book club
Bookroo club box with books for growing readers
The author

More from Nancy Bond

Explore Nancy's bookshelf
The Voyage Begun
Sale price
$1695

The Voyage Begun

Ages 9–12 · 1981
Your next read

Books that feel like this one

See all similar books
Series
Sale price
$1699

Unseen Magic

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Wingfeather Tales

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt

Ages 8–12 · 2018

Future Friend

Ages 8–13 · 2024
Sale price
$1699

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Ages 9–12 · 2021

Cryptid Hunters

Ages 10–13 · 2005
Sale price
$1799

The Lightcasters

Ages 8–12 · 2022

The Legend of Sam Miracle

Ages 9–12 · 2016
The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5.2
F&P level
~S
AR points
17
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
140
Publication
Published
December 1, 2006
First published
January 1, 1976
Publisher
Aladdin
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9781416927716

Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.

Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.

Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.

Top contributors: Elaine R. · The Goodfather

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo