Beethoven in Paradise
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1997 · Est. 3.5 hour read

Beethoven in Paradise

By Barbara O'Connor

A boy defies his father's disdain for music to pursue his passion in a trailer park called Paradise.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 49 ratings
168 pages· 33,239 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
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Bookroo's summary

In the trailer park of Paradise, young Martin dreams of music beyond his harmonica, but his father's scorn for anything musical stands in his way. With the support of friends Wylene and Sybil, and his grandmother Hazeline, Martin must find the courage to follow his passion and stand up for himself. As he navigates the challenges of family expectations and personal dreams, Martin discovers that true genius thrives where compassion exists. Will he find his voice amidst the chaos and prove that music is more than just a sissy's pursuit?

From the publisher

Set in a trailer park called Paradise You’re just wasting your God-given talents if you don’t get yourself something besides a little ole harmonica to play. Wylene made it sound so easy. Martin had always like music – liked to listen to it, liked to make up tunes in his head. But all he had to do was say the word piano to his father and all hell would break loose. His father thought music was for sissies, and was always mad at Martin for not being good at baseball. But with a lot of help from his friends Wylene and Sybil and his grandmother, Hazeline, Martin learns that, although he can’t change his father, he can learn to stick up for himself. With humor, pathos, and a colorful cast of offbeat characters, Barbara O’Connor shows that there’s room for genius wherever there’s a place for compassion– even in Paradise.

At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
168
Words
33,239
Reading age
10–13
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
680L
Themes & topics
Books about friendshipBooks about musicBooks about familyBooks about parentsBooks about self-esteem
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
4.5
F&P level
~P
AR points
5
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
78269
Publication
Published
September 10, 1999
First published
April 2, 1997
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780374405885

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