Smee was born with a great gift: the ability to sing other people’s stories and heal their pain. But Smee also carries his own pain — his failure to reach his deaf mother and heal her grief at his father’s death. As he travels the country, he eases many people’s sorrows, but he cannot connect with anyone himself. Mitou also has a gift: spreading joy through a few notes from her accordion. When she hears about Smee–who was born on the same day she was–she knows that surely they belong together, each of them helping others through their music. They finally meet on the way to the king’s castle to sing for the beautiful Princess Esperanza. But will Mitou’s hopes be fulfilled–or is the pain of the past too great?
- ISBN: 9780545069298
- Author: Stoffels, Karlijn
- Published: 2009, Arthur A. Levine Books
- Themes: emotions and feelings, fairytales, Musicians, Social and family issues
- Descriptors: Fantasy, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Netherlands
- No. of pages: 144
In “Heartsinger” I feel that the plot and moral were well introduced. I like the way that this story presents two totally different people, and ideas into play. The way Mee is presented, is as a heart broken singer of sorrows. He feels that since he could not make his mother happy, then he should not be happy. The way that Mitou is presented, is as a happy go lucky child. She feels that it is her job to make people happy. They both have so many things in common. They both grew up in some hurtful way. Mee with never pleasing his mother, and his mother and father never hearing him sing. Then you have Mitou who always heard hurtful words, and never talking. They both handled their situations in different ways. One took it in happiness, optimism, and the other in sadness,pessimist. When each one is presented it tells their story, and then presents conflict to pull them together. When they meet it is under circumstances that most would not have guessed. the ending is also something that most would not have predicted. This book is is a great read for all. it is well presented, well put, and i think it is the story of most peoples lives. if you’ve read it, then you would probably agree that it is good literature and is left open for a second book. This book is highly recommended by me.