The Violin Players

By Eileen, Bluestone Sherman and Eileen Bluestone Sherman

Book Overview

Smart and savvy high school junior Melissa Jensen is unprepared when life takes a turn for the seemingly tragic: her father accepts a teaching assignment in a small town in the Midwest, far from her home and friends (and bagels) in New York City. She's too old to throw a tantrum, and her father's offer of letting her live in New York with her grandparents is simply not an option. No way will she follow their strict Orthodox Jewish rules when her own parents didn't even make her go to Hebrew school.

Melissa's reluctant arrival in Henryville brings some surprises. To her amazement the college town offers more than she ever anticipated, including a fantastic school orchestra and the chance to star in the school play, not to mention her immediate popularity with the "coolest kids in school." And then there's Daniel Goodman, the remarkable boy who shares Melissa's passion for acting and playing the violin. Everything seems too good to be true, until Melissa comes across something she has never experienced before--antisemitism. No one in the school suspects she is Jewish, but when Daniel is taunted by a bigoted schoolmate, Melissa must make a decision. Her choice to speak out should be clear-cut, but life is never that simple. The Violin Players examines the price we pay when bigotry is met with silence.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827615175
• ISBN13: 9780827615175
• Release Date: December 2020
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Secrets don't make friends

Romeo, oh Romeo where fore are thou Romeo...... Mellisa was a natural with these famous words, and she was especially excited to practice some of this literatures finest with one of the midwest, small town finest boys, Daniel. Missouri has turned out th prove Mellisa parents words right. "This town is such a lovley place and we just knew you'll love it." What Mellisa loves most about this small town though is the amazingly gorgous Jewish boy named Daniel who sits alone at lunch due to many people being very predgudice aginst Jews. Little did Daniel know though Mellisa, herself, should of been dealing with the exact same promblems considering she too, was a jew. Will people accept Mellisa's religion and still think of her as the witty big apple girl I don't know you tell me. I like this book because it got straight to the point and had a good outcome and it showed a persons religion does not have to affect the way a person is or how you should treat a person.

An impression

Melissa Jensen is Jewish, but her Judiasm has never been a major aspect of her life. When her father, a playwrite, gets a chance for one of his plays to be produced in Henryville Missouri, Melissa has to move. She's not too happy about the decision, but she soon meets friends at her new school. One of them is Daniel Goodman, and another is Johnny McGraw. Their contrasting personalities pose a problem. All because Daniel is Jewish. As she confronts the reality of Anti-Semitism in her new school, and the fact that Daniel gets pushed around so violently because of his religion, Melissa questions if she should reveal her religion to her new found friends. Daniel and Melissa's mutual dedication to the violin brings them close, and Melissa's heart again questions if she should speak up against all the prejudice she witnesses.The reader really feels the emotions of tension and uncertainy during this book. Melissa's questions make you want to keep turning the pages. I would reccomend this book to kids ages 11 and up. The book made an impression on me, and I belive it will make an impression on them too. Jewish or not, the reader could still relate to the main character. It's five stars are truly deserved.