What do you think?
Rate this book
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay
From award-winning author Susan Hood and illustrator Sally Wern Comport comes the extraordinary true tale of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, an orchestra made up of children playing instruments built from recycled trash.
Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.
Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
About the author
Susan Hood
237 books126 followersSusan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Ada's Violin; Lifeboat 12; The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics; Shaking Things Up; Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team; and We Are One: How the World Adds Up.
Susan is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.”
COMING IN MARCH, 2022!
Susan's newest book is Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Co-authored with Anna's (a.k.a. Zhanna's) son Greg Dawson, this biography in verse celebrates the life-saving power of the arts.
Susan is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.”
COMING IN MARCH, 2022!
Susan's newest book is Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Co-authored with Anna's (a.k.a. Zhanna's) son Greg Dawson, this biography in verse celebrates the life-saving power of the arts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 477 reviews
July 30, 2020
Ada Rios lives with her family in Cateura, Paraguay, a slum built on a landfill that services the capital city of Asunción. The majority of people in the town work as gancheros (recyclers) in the landfills, and houses are built on the flood plain and worth next to nothing. The outlook for a child being raised in these conditions is dismal if not worse. Ada’s grandmother desired that her grandchildren Ada and Noelia have a better life than the one that generations of Cateura’s citizens have lead. With a embroiderer or cleaning woman considered a good job, the future does not look bright for the next generation of Caetura’s youth.
This changes one day when Favio Chavez arrives and advertises music lessons. Ada has always wanted to be a musician and now she has her chance. At the initial lesson ten students show up, but Favio only has five instruments- violin, guitar, chelo. The students would need to practice at home as well but there are not enough instruments to go around. Trained as an ecological engineer, he has an idea: with the help of the gancheros, Favio will construct an orchestra out of recycled materials. Ada’s first violin includes materials as cardboard and a fork. Soon there are enough instruments to go around and the popularity of the orchestra sky rockets. After much time and practice, the orchestra grows to two hundred children and twenty five instructors. Eventually, the group is named the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. They earn exposure and are asked to go on tour with Metallica, leading to giddy eyed teenagers who never thought it was possible to travel the world playing music.
Susan Hood and Sally Wern Comport have collaborated into an exquisite picture book for children. The story is inspiring for kids everywhere, showing them that it is does not matter where one comes from, if adults invest in the future and kids dream big, there will always be a way to achieve those goals. Comport’s illustrations are stunning and make the Hood’s story come alive. I obtained my copy from the library, but all proceeds from this book benefit the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. Favio Chavez and the teenagers of Caetura deserve it. They went from having no hope to improving their station in life to music being their means to achieve a bright future wherever it takes them. An inspiring story for the next generation.
5 🎶 🎼 🎵 🇵🇾 stars
This changes one day when Favio Chavez arrives and advertises music lessons. Ada has always wanted to be a musician and now she has her chance. At the initial lesson ten students show up, but Favio only has five instruments- violin, guitar, chelo. The students would need to practice at home as well but there are not enough instruments to go around. Trained as an ecological engineer, he has an idea: with the help of the gancheros, Favio will construct an orchestra out of recycled materials. Ada’s first violin includes materials as cardboard and a fork. Soon there are enough instruments to go around and the popularity of the orchestra sky rockets. After much time and practice, the orchestra grows to two hundred children and twenty five instructors. Eventually, the group is named the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. They earn exposure and are asked to go on tour with Metallica, leading to giddy eyed teenagers who never thought it was possible to travel the world playing music.
Susan Hood and Sally Wern Comport have collaborated into an exquisite picture book for children. The story is inspiring for kids everywhere, showing them that it is does not matter where one comes from, if adults invest in the future and kids dream big, there will always be a way to achieve those goals. Comport’s illustrations are stunning and make the Hood’s story come alive. I obtained my copy from the library, but all proceeds from this book benefit the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. Favio Chavez and the teenagers of Caetura deserve it. They went from having no hope to improving their station in life to music being their means to achieve a bright future wherever it takes them. An inspiring story for the next generation.
5 🎶 🎼 🎵 🇵🇾 stars
March 21, 2017
Thanks to GR friend Crystal for letting me know about this book. I knew about this orchestra. I’d seen the 60 Minutes television story and had heard about the movie and had seen them in the news.
The last 3 pages of this book upped it to 5 stars for me. More information, photos, resources, and I was happy to see that the publisher had made a donation to the orchestra/community.
The true story is 5 stars without question. The way it was told, even though interviews with the founder & conductor and one of the musicians made up the basis for a lot of the text, was good, but something seemed lacking to me. Perhaps I would have liked to read a full length book about these people and this orchestra. What was presented whetted my appetite for more. The illustrations are wonderful in that they perfectly fit the story and their intricacy is interesting. While beautiful and I love how much there is to view, I’m not wild about their style, though I appreciate how they’re more sophisticated than the illustrations in many other children’s picture books.
I’d say this book is best for school aged kids, perhaps 5-10 and then all the way up. It’s a story/book that can be appreciated by both children and adults.
Be prepared for questions and some discussion about poverty, garbage & recycling, musical instruments, etc.
Reading this I felt inspired and uplifted, and a bit sad too.
Highly recommended, especially for musicians and artists & craftspeople, those who like to learn about other cultures, teachers, those who like reading about real life creative solutions to problems, and all who appreciate stories about people who make a difference.
4 ½ stars, rounded up because of the importance of the story
The last 3 pages of this book upped it to 5 stars for me. More information, photos, resources, and I was happy to see that the publisher had made a donation to the orchestra/community.
The true story is 5 stars without question. The way it was told, even though interviews with the founder & conductor and one of the musicians made up the basis for a lot of the text, was good, but something seemed lacking to me. Perhaps I would have liked to read a full length book about these people and this orchestra. What was presented whetted my appetite for more. The illustrations are wonderful in that they perfectly fit the story and their intricacy is interesting. While beautiful and I love how much there is to view, I’m not wild about their style, though I appreciate how they’re more sophisticated than the illustrations in many other children’s picture books.
I’d say this book is best for school aged kids, perhaps 5-10 and then all the way up. It’s a story/book that can be appreciated by both children and adults.
Be prepared for questions and some discussion about poverty, garbage & recycling, musical instruments, etc.
Reading this I felt inspired and uplifted, and a bit sad too.
Highly recommended, especially for musicians and artists & craftspeople, those who like to learn about other cultures, teachers, those who like reading about real life creative solutions to problems, and all who appreciate stories about people who make a difference.
4 ½ stars, rounded up because of the importance of the story
May 30, 2017
This inspiring book tells the story of Ada, a young girl living in Paraguay in a neighbourhood that earns money from recycling rubbish from the enormous amounts of waste the city churns out. An environmental engineer who was working in the area noticed the lack of a constructive outlet for the children and started to give music lessons. Lacking enough instruments to go round some talented local people started to make instruments from recycled materials found in the rubbish heap.
Truly inspiring how these children persevered with their learning despite far from ideal conditions. Thank you to good read friend Lisa Vegan for alerting me to this amazing orchestra. There is a link on Lisa's review to a 60 minute YouTube clip that is really worth a look. I was sceptical that a violin and cello made out of tin could actually produce a sound that could be listened to, but they sound amazing.
I really enjoyed reading the factual page at the end of the book, I hope some of these children are able to continue with their music, they are amazing. This story would be an excellent starting point for a class music project.
Truly inspiring how these children persevered with their learning despite far from ideal conditions. Thank you to good read friend Lisa Vegan for alerting me to this amazing orchestra. There is a link on Lisa's review to a 60 minute YouTube clip that is really worth a look. I was sceptical that a violin and cello made out of tin could actually produce a sound that could be listened to, but they sound amazing.
I really enjoyed reading the factual page at the end of the book, I hope some of these children are able to continue with their music, they are amazing. This story would be an excellent starting point for a class music project.
May 24, 2016
A remarkable true story about a visionary teacher who finds a way to help children escape their lives of extreme poverty and squalor through music. A beautifully told, hopeful, inspiring story handsomely illustrated in colorful collage art.
March 17, 2021
Author Susan Hood and illustrator Sally Wern Comport join forces in this immensely moving look at Paraguay's 'Recycled Orchestra,' a symphony made up of children from one of South America's poorest slums, playing instruments created from trash items taken from the dump around which their village was built. The story focuses on Ada Ríos, a young girl in Cateura, a village of gancheros (recyclers) that sprung up beside the main trash dump for Paraguay's capital city of Asunción. Part of a music-loving family, Ada had little chance to pursue this subject until engineer and amateur musician Favio Chávez came to town, offering free lessons to the children there. When there weren't enough instruments to go around, Chávez and the children had to get creative, making their own homemade instruments from what they could find. Learning to play together, the orchestra improved, eventually giving their first concert. Ada herself was made first violin, and the group became better and better known, garnering invitations to play, not just in other cities, but in other countries as well...
Although I have been aware of Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay since its publication back in 2016, and although I am interested in the subject, I never seem to have gotten around to it until now. I'm glad I finally did, as I found it to be an immensely moving and inspirational book, pairing a story that had me tearing up on more than one occasion with gorgeous mixed media artwork that had me poring over the pages. The style of artwork created by Sally Wern Comport here - she used collage, acrylic glazes and paints, drawing and digital media - is well-suited to the story, as it incorporates various recycled objects (like bits of paper) into the visuals. So too did Ada and her friends incorporate found objects into their instruments, creating music and art from something that others found useless. The story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the creativity of the human mind, as people with almost nothing find a way to make the world around them more beautiful. I was pleased to learn, in the extensive afterword, that the orchestra has raised money to improve the lives of the people of Cateura. As someone who is a fan of the rock band Metallica, I was also pleased to discover that the orchestra performed with them, in a massive concert in Colombia. Kudos to Metallica for having them as an opening act - I will definitely be seeking out the video of that performance, as well as the 60 Minutes special devoted to the orchestra. Highly recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about poverty, creativity, recycling and making music.
Although I have been aware of Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay since its publication back in 2016, and although I am interested in the subject, I never seem to have gotten around to it until now. I'm glad I finally did, as I found it to be an immensely moving and inspirational book, pairing a story that had me tearing up on more than one occasion with gorgeous mixed media artwork that had me poring over the pages. The style of artwork created by Sally Wern Comport here - she used collage, acrylic glazes and paints, drawing and digital media - is well-suited to the story, as it incorporates various recycled objects (like bits of paper) into the visuals. So too did Ada and her friends incorporate found objects into their instruments, creating music and art from something that others found useless. The story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the creativity of the human mind, as people with almost nothing find a way to make the world around them more beautiful. I was pleased to learn, in the extensive afterword, that the orchestra has raised money to improve the lives of the people of Cateura. As someone who is a fan of the rock band Metallica, I was also pleased to discover that the orchestra performed with them, in a massive concert in Colombia. Kudos to Metallica for having them as an opening act - I will definitely be seeking out the video of that performance, as well as the 60 Minutes special devoted to the orchestra. Highly recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about poverty, creativity, recycling and making music.
March 10, 2017
My 7 year old is interested in playing the violin and also interested in art. While out at the library looking for books about art this was right in the selection and she immediately grabbed it and started flipping through the pages. I asked her if she wanted to borrow it and she gave an ethusiastic, "YES!" So glad we checked it out. It is a truly inspiring book based on real life events. We both enjoyed the illustrations. To us they were unique and complimented the story well. My daughter's words were that the story made her feel good after she read it. I would recommend this story to those who enjoy music and art or are just in the mood for a great heartwarming story.
June 17, 2016
Extraordinary story & beautiful illustrations that teach grit and problem solving to students. Delighted to add this nonfiction book to my library. Pairs well with the 60 Minutes feature on the orchestra. A must have for classroom libraries!
October 22, 2021
Read for my toddler’s bedtime. So sad about kids and people living near the landfills and looking through landfill for something valuable to sell for survival. An inspiring story as well. Chavez decided to teach children in town to keep them out of trouble. They were short on instruments so they use the landfill for materials to build their own instruments and it paid off. The children practice a lot and became good at playing music. Eventually, They were invited to play all over the world.
Read from kindle unlimited.
Read from kindle unlimited.
May 18, 2018
Cateura, Paraguay is a landfill. Its also home to dozens of families that earn their living by selling what they can rescue from the trash. That was perhaps the only thing Cateura was known for. Now Cateura is on the map for another reason: The Children's Recycled Orchestra. When Favio Chavez went back to Paraguay, he started music lessons for the children but lacking enough instruments, he decided to make his own. In time, his small orchestra caught international attention and has since shown the world how ingenuity and perseverance can change a community.
Never before has the phrase "One man's trash is another man's tresuare" been more true. Cateura is the dump site for Paraguay. Receiving tons of trash per year, the main income source for the families living there is digging through the trash and selling anything salvageable. When Favio Chavez, an environmental technician, arrived to implemnt safety features for the recyclers he wanted to give back to his community. As a musician, he started teaching the children but he had more kids than instruments. In a community where a music instrument is worth more than a house, Chavez had to be resourceful. He used the one thing that Cateura has in excess: trash. With the help of a carpenter, Chavez built violins, drums and other instruments from scraps and trash. In time, his group was called the Recycled Orchestra.
I love this story, its moving and inspirational. I had not heard about this group before and now I wish for everyone to know of them. The prose is great as are the illustrations. The impact of this story is even greater. The Recycled Orchestra has performed in South America, North America, Europe, Asia and beyond. They have gone on tour with Metallica and Megadeth and performed alongside Stevie Wonder. They have been asked to perform for monarchs, politicians and even Pope Francis. This is the testament of a man and group of kids that turned literal trash into treasure beyond measure. There is a documentary of the Recycled Orchestra and I plan on watching it. As for the boook, its a must read for people of all ages. Just amazing.
Never before has the phrase "One man's trash is another man's tresuare" been more true. Cateura is the dump site for Paraguay. Receiving tons of trash per year, the main income source for the families living there is digging through the trash and selling anything salvageable. When Favio Chavez, an environmental technician, arrived to implemnt safety features for the recyclers he wanted to give back to his community. As a musician, he started teaching the children but he had more kids than instruments. In a community where a music instrument is worth more than a house, Chavez had to be resourceful. He used the one thing that Cateura has in excess: trash. With the help of a carpenter, Chavez built violins, drums and other instruments from scraps and trash. In time, his group was called the Recycled Orchestra.
I love this story, its moving and inspirational. I had not heard about this group before and now I wish for everyone to know of them. The prose is great as are the illustrations. The impact of this story is even greater. The Recycled Orchestra has performed in South America, North America, Europe, Asia and beyond. They have gone on tour with Metallica and Megadeth and performed alongside Stevie Wonder. They have been asked to perform for monarchs, politicians and even Pope Francis. This is the testament of a man and group of kids that turned literal trash into treasure beyond measure. There is a documentary of the Recycled Orchestra and I plan on watching it. As for the boook, its a must read for people of all ages. Just amazing.
June 16, 2016
Nonfiction picture books that tell true stories of what's going on in other parts of the world draw me like a bee to nectar. And when they're well told, illustrated beautifully, and loaded with pertinent information, I'm one happy teacher. However, I don't have a classroom in which to share this book anymore, and this is a book to be shared and discussed. Perfect for the intermediate-grade classroom that is learning about how to make a difference in our world.
I can't imagine a town that's built on, at, or even near a huge garbage dump. What a wake-up message for kids AND adults. Lots of additional information so that I can look and learn more, and maybe even help a bit.....
I can't imagine a town that's built on, at, or even near a huge garbage dump. What a wake-up message for kids AND adults. Lots of additional information so that I can look and learn more, and maybe even help a bit.....
May 19, 2022
Wow! What an amazing story!
January 6, 2017
Incredible(!!) story and the art feels like a perfect match.
May 26, 2017
Living in Cateura, Paraguay, where scouring the trash from nearby Asunción to recycle and resell is a way of life, Ada Ríos liked to imagine that truckload of garbage was "a box of surprises." And that turns out to be just what they are when Favio Chávez arrived in town and offers music lessons to the children of Cateura. With more children wanting music lessons than instruments to play, Chávez knew he had to do something. After experiments, trials, mistakes and finally success, instruments were fashioned for the children from Cateura's garbage dump and the Recycled Orchestra was born, and it didn't take long for them to become world renowned musicians, including Ada and her violin. Comport's beautiful mixed media collages carry the theme of music throughout, including bits of paper with musical notes on them in the garbage piles. She has captured what life is like living so close to a dump so well, you can almost smell it. The author includes important back matter about the Recycled Orchestra.
October 5, 2016
Buried in the trash was music. And buried in themselves was something to be proud of.Ada's Violin is the perfect picture book for kids who like true stories about other places and other cultures. It discusses the overwhelming poverty and hopelessness of the slum where Ada and her family live in Paraguay, but it also does a lovely job of portraying her close-knit family in a positive light. This is mirrored in the hope and aspirations of new arrival Favio Chávez and the orchestra he helped this community build. The sections of the book discussing creating instruments from recycled trash were especially fun and finding an art project where kids can build their own (e.g. PVC pipe flutes) would be a perfect complementary activity. Comport's collage backgrounds are truly lovely. Best suited for grades 2-5.
November 1, 2017
Beautiful story, sometimes it takes so little to make an impact in the world.
Lo que ese señor le dio a esa comunidad nunca podrá ser medido <3.
Lo que ese señor le dio a esa comunidad nunca podrá ser medido <3.
August 21, 2018
This is the true story of how a village turned garbage into music. Ada Rio’s family lives in Cateura, Paraguay. Her town is filled with trash and is actually built on a landfill. Many of the people in the village go through the garbage collecting items, like plastic, which they can trade in for money. Then Favio Chavez arrives and starts teaching about ecological safety, and before long he brings music to the children. When there aren’t enough instruments for everyone who wants to play, he works with them to make unique ones out of the garbage all around. Playing music is hard work, but the children that stick with it learn and get better. Soon the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay is on tour, seeing new places, and even being asked to play with famous rock bands, like Metallica. Music truly changes lives.
The bright colors and textured illustrations really draw in the reader. The recycled instruments and scenes were enhanced by the collage style used to create the pages. My heart goes out to the people who live in Carteura, and I know how upset I get when I see litter, so I can only imagine how hard it would be to see so much garbage everywhere. I loved learning how music and the creation of instruments from the materials they salvaged changed their lives. The kids worked hard and learned how to make music, and even though it was not easy, they didn't give up. Their perseverance ended up being able to change their village and the lives of many people in it. Together they made our planet prettier and filled it with good tunes. So often we want something brand new from the store, but if we reuse and recycle, there is less waste and we can help make our planet a more beautiful place.
Ada’s Violin: The True Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay is an excellent picture book for anyone who likes to learn about people who are making the world a better place. It's a great story to introduce to children that will inspire creativity and to show them what life is like in different places. I especially loved that the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay toured with bands like Metallica and earned money to help build houses in their village. Such an inspiration!
The bright colors and textured illustrations really draw in the reader. The recycled instruments and scenes were enhanced by the collage style used to create the pages. My heart goes out to the people who live in Carteura, and I know how upset I get when I see litter, so I can only imagine how hard it would be to see so much garbage everywhere. I loved learning how music and the creation of instruments from the materials they salvaged changed their lives. The kids worked hard and learned how to make music, and even though it was not easy, they didn't give up. Their perseverance ended up being able to change their village and the lives of many people in it. Together they made our planet prettier and filled it with good tunes. So often we want something brand new from the store, but if we reuse and recycle, there is less waste and we can help make our planet a more beautiful place.
Ada’s Violin: The True Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay is an excellent picture book for anyone who likes to learn about people who are making the world a better place. It's a great story to introduce to children that will inspire creativity and to show them what life is like in different places. I especially loved that the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay toured with bands like Metallica and earned money to help build houses in their village. Such an inspiration!
June 6, 2018
Amazing story of a music teacher and his poverty-stricken students who create an orchestra of instruments out of junk and learn to play them. What a testament to the power of recycling and of music! I visited some of the web sites about these kids listed at the back of the book. Not only do the instruments sound almost like real ones made of traditional materials, but these kids are playing Vivaldi and sounding darned good! The band Metallica was so impressed with them that they asked the Recycled Orchestra to open for them in a series of concerts they gave in Central and South America. The girl Ada, who is featured in this book, is interviewed in one of the videos. So awe-inspiring! I highly recommend this book—and watch the videos too. You will be amazed.
July 29, 2016
I’d been meaning to check out this book after reading so many rave reviews about it. It didn’t disappoint. In fact, after reading it, I was impressed by how many great music books there are for kids- and how important that students need to have music in their lives. Music can teach them so much! I even ended up recommending this to a librarian already because this story about the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay is truly inspiring.
July 19, 2016
What an inspiring story! The illustrations, which were created from collage, acrylic glazes and paints, drawings and digital mediums executed on stipple paper, are an excellent match for the text about musical instruments made from recycled materials, because it looks like the illustrations use recycled materials as well.
September 9, 2016
A truly inspiring tale, about perseverance, dedication, finding yourself, making music and making the most of a challenging situation. Definitely worth a read! I believe that children will become inspired by this book.
May 26, 2016
Loved, loved this book!
After reading this book, go watch the 60 Minutes news clip about this orchestra.
After reading this book, go watch the 60 Minutes news clip about this orchestra.
February 10, 2019
Wow, what an incredible story. I will be using this with my section on overcoming challenges next year. Watching a video of the orchestra play had me in tears. Absolutely incredible.
January 10, 2021
Inspirational. A group of conscientious students learn to play in an orchestra. The instruments are obtained by finding rubbish from a landfill and modifying them. There are ingenious ways to create them: using tin cans, pipes and sheet metal.
The town itself (Cateura, Paraguay) is set aside a landfill. An out-of-town worker noticed the youths had few options and gave music lessons to create opportunities. It set off a whole network of community involvement which lead to the success of the orchestra (they even played with Metallica). Apparently a violin is worth more than a house there (the latter also made from trash) and therefore any drive for new instruments would have failed as they would have been stolen. Their sole focus is on remodelled instruments.
The book is for children especially for those from poorer communities. It is short but very well illustrated and the story alone is enough to carry the book.
More information:
www.recycledorchestracateura.com
The town itself (Cateura, Paraguay) is set aside a landfill. An out-of-town worker noticed the youths had few options and gave music lessons to create opportunities. It set off a whole network of community involvement which lead to the success of the orchestra (they even played with Metallica). Apparently a violin is worth more than a house there (the latter also made from trash) and therefore any drive for new instruments would have failed as they would have been stolen. Their sole focus is on remodelled instruments.
The book is for children especially for those from poorer communities. It is short but very well illustrated and the story alone is enough to carry the book.
More information:
www.recycledorchestracateura.com
Read
February 25, 2019 "Ada’s Violin" by Susan Hood (Américas Award: 2017 Award Winner)
Ada spoke of the landfill, and imagined the surprises, the objects that may be found within. Ada’s viewpoint reminded me of my own perspective in relation to garage sales. As a child, and to this day, I relish in my family “garage sale outings.” I knew most children did not actively seek out garage sales with their parents and siblings, nor receive such enjoyment out of it. This did not negatively impact my thinking, I recall viewing it as a “treasure hunt,” never knowing what unique item we would take home. At times, I would be able to select a toy, piece of jewelry, a picture book, or something colorful to decorate my room. Like Ada, I thought of the positives that would come out of the experience, not the negative stereotypical viewpoint that all garage sales consist of “dirty junk.”
Concerning a text-to-text connection, in relation to past literature I have read, this picture book is different in the sense that the children's instruments were constructed out of found materials. Most often than not, the characters in books take action by raising funds to purchase their desired items, by requesting donations of used ones, or somehow miraculously finding them hidden away within a neighboring area. This book presents a “window” into Ada’s town, a town in which struggles to have enough funds to purchase shelter, food, as well as schooling and care for children. A neighborhood that fears being observed playing musical instruments, as they are considered more valuable than a home.
Lastly, as for a text-to-world connection, this picture book brings to mind the media coverage of various locations in the world, such as South America, that present a “single story” of life. The story encompasses poverty, overpopulation, decrepit homes and buildings, and a lack of education afforded to the masses. Too few texts provide the population with the power to move beyond the negative stories, and to inform the world of the positive moments they have experienced in their lives. Thus, I was ecstatic to read how, as the children grew, they were able to perform in various locations in the world, to travel and display how their commitment and drive changed their lives.
Reference:
Hood, S. (2016). Ada’s violin. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Ada spoke of the landfill, and imagined the surprises, the objects that may be found within. Ada’s viewpoint reminded me of my own perspective in relation to garage sales. As a child, and to this day, I relish in my family “garage sale outings.” I knew most children did not actively seek out garage sales with their parents and siblings, nor receive such enjoyment out of it. This did not negatively impact my thinking, I recall viewing it as a “treasure hunt,” never knowing what unique item we would take home. At times, I would be able to select a toy, piece of jewelry, a picture book, or something colorful to decorate my room. Like Ada, I thought of the positives that would come out of the experience, not the negative stereotypical viewpoint that all garage sales consist of “dirty junk.”
Concerning a text-to-text connection, in relation to past literature I have read, this picture book is different in the sense that the children's instruments were constructed out of found materials. Most often than not, the characters in books take action by raising funds to purchase their desired items, by requesting donations of used ones, or somehow miraculously finding them hidden away within a neighboring area. This book presents a “window” into Ada’s town, a town in which struggles to have enough funds to purchase shelter, food, as well as schooling and care for children. A neighborhood that fears being observed playing musical instruments, as they are considered more valuable than a home.
Lastly, as for a text-to-world connection, this picture book brings to mind the media coverage of various locations in the world, such as South America, that present a “single story” of life. The story encompasses poverty, overpopulation, decrepit homes and buildings, and a lack of education afforded to the masses. Too few texts provide the population with the power to move beyond the negative stories, and to inform the world of the positive moments they have experienced in their lives. Thus, I was ecstatic to read how, as the children grew, they were able to perform in various locations in the world, to travel and display how their commitment and drive changed their lives.
Reference:
Hood, S. (2016). Ada’s violin. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Read
June 15, 2018My focus for this book is a text to world connection, though I experienced many others as I was reading the story. Ada was one of the main characters in this story, and her story reminded me of another musician's story. Ada came from a poverty stricken town. Through music, she was able to have many opportunities that she never would have had otherwise. She was able to travel. She was able to make more money than she had in her hometown. I hope this doesn't sound too silly, but an artist I know about who had a similar experience is the rapper Eminem. I am using this comparison because I have not seen or known Eminem personally, but I know his story is something that has happened in the world. He was a blue collar worker from Detroit raised in a poor family. He worked in a car factory, and he did not see a way to help himself and his family. He then started rapping even though people laughed, made fun of him, and had no faith in him. Ada and her recycled orchestra were not viewed as serious musicians at first either. Due to both Eminem's and Ada's perseverance, they found success and bettered their lives.
A text to self comparison I found in the story was the recyling aspect. My family and I used to recycle cans for money when we were younger. The difference was that we simply collected our own and walked around the neighborhood picking up cans that were littered. However, there was an elderly homeless lady that habitually went around to the trashcans of public places to collect cans. When I was little and saw her doing that at the library, I didn't understand what she was looking for in the trash until my mom told me.
Another text to self comparison I thought of was that garbage sometimes has some hidden treasures. This children's book mentioned characters finding appliances, toys, perfumes, antique watches and jewelry. My cousin worked as a garbage man for a while, and he told our family a lot about the random things that he had seen being thrown away. He often saw appliances, furniture, and VHS tapes.
A text to self comparison I found in the story was the recyling aspect. My family and I used to recycle cans for money when we were younger. The difference was that we simply collected our own and walked around the neighborhood picking up cans that were littered. However, there was an elderly homeless lady that habitually went around to the trashcans of public places to collect cans. When I was little and saw her doing that at the library, I didn't understand what she was looking for in the trash until my mom told me.
Another text to self comparison I thought of was that garbage sometimes has some hidden treasures. This children's book mentioned characters finding appliances, toys, perfumes, antique watches and jewelry. My cousin worked as a garbage man for a while, and he told our family a lot about the random things that he had seen being thrown away. He often saw appliances, furniture, and VHS tapes.
August 28, 2016
Ada and her family live in one of the poorest areas of South America where all members of the family work long hours sorting through trash bags looking for items to recycle in the landfill. She wonders what sort of life she is destined for when the children she sees growing up in her neighborhood often turn to gangs.
The arrival of Favio Chavez and his offer of free violin, guitar, and cello lessons on Saturday mornings proves very popular with Ada and the other children. The problem quickly becomes making sure each child has an instrument and one that is safe from theives looking to make some quick money. Chavez enlists the help of a local musician who had experience making his own instruments. Together they make violins, cellos, drums, guitars etc out of recylced materials picked from the landfill. The children put in the practice hours and before long they are touring the world playing music for large crowds.
Collage illustrations do a great job of depicting Ada's landscape and transitions into a scrapbook-like representation of the worldwide fame the children experience playing their music. I really liked the torn scraps of music sheets to show the way Ada and her family loved to listen to music and the way the music Ada played as she practiced drifted off into lands she could only imagine.
An author's note is included and inspiring quotes are peppered throughout the back matter. Also included is a list of websites, videos, sources, and pictures for further exploration of this topic.
One of the best books of the year and one that I can't wait to read aloud with grades K-5+.
Text is
The arrival of Favio Chavez and his offer of free violin, guitar, and cello lessons on Saturday mornings proves very popular with Ada and the other children. The problem quickly becomes making sure each child has an instrument and one that is safe from theives looking to make some quick money. Chavez enlists the help of a local musician who had experience making his own instruments. Together they make violins, cellos, drums, guitars etc out of recylced materials picked from the landfill. The children put in the practice hours and before long they are touring the world playing music for large crowds.
Collage illustrations do a great job of depicting Ada's landscape and transitions into a scrapbook-like representation of the worldwide fame the children experience playing their music. I really liked the torn scraps of music sheets to show the way Ada and her family loved to listen to music and the way the music Ada played as she practiced drifted off into lands she could only imagine.
An author's note is included and inspiring quotes are peppered throughout the back matter. Also included is a list of websites, videos, sources, and pictures for further exploration of this topic.
One of the best books of the year and one that I can't wait to read aloud with grades K-5+.
Text is
June 13, 2018
Text-to-Text
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, 2016
The book I found that this was similar to was Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed A Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy. I felt these books were similar because in both stories, the community comes together to help create beauty in their neighborhoods. In Ada’s Violin, the townspeople help take trash from the dump and turn it into workable instruments for the children to learn to play. In Maybe Something Beautiful, the neighbors come together to paint murals on public property across the neighborhood, making it more vibrant and wonderful. Both books are based on true stories. Ada’s Violin is more closer to the truthful events of what happened with the Recycled Orchestra in Cateura, Paraguay and Ada was a child who was actually part of the Recycled Orchestra, while Maybe Something Beautiful was inspired by the true events of a married couple who wanted to make their neighborhood beautiful and vibrant. Also, in the author’s notes at the end of each book, the notes not only talk about the true stories the books were based on, but also how the Recycled Orchestra and the Urban Art Trail (from Maybe Something Beautiful) both use the money they generate to help out people in their respective communities. I’ve read a few other picture books that were based on a true story, but I found that these two were most similar because of the sense of community the story had and how each real-life event actually made an impact outside of the original communities.
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, 2016
The book I found that this was similar to was Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed A Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy. I felt these books were similar because in both stories, the community comes together to help create beauty in their neighborhoods. In Ada’s Violin, the townspeople help take trash from the dump and turn it into workable instruments for the children to learn to play. In Maybe Something Beautiful, the neighbors come together to paint murals on public property across the neighborhood, making it more vibrant and wonderful. Both books are based on true stories. Ada’s Violin is more closer to the truthful events of what happened with the Recycled Orchestra in Cateura, Paraguay and Ada was a child who was actually part of the Recycled Orchestra, while Maybe Something Beautiful was inspired by the true events of a married couple who wanted to make their neighborhood beautiful and vibrant. Also, in the author’s notes at the end of each book, the notes not only talk about the true stories the books were based on, but also how the Recycled Orchestra and the Urban Art Trail (from Maybe Something Beautiful) both use the money they generate to help out people in their respective communities. I’ve read a few other picture books that were based on a true story, but I found that these two were most similar because of the sense of community the story had and how each real-life event actually made an impact outside of the original communities.
Read
June 22, 2018Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood
Drum Dream Girl by : How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
Content Area : Music
Ada’s violin is about a young girl who grows up in a small town where they are very poor. Ada wants to learn how to play the violin along with 20 other kids, but the instruments are worth more than homes are and they are very likely to be stolen. Her father makes the best of their situation by making a violin for Ada and the others with stuff they found in their landfills.
Drum Dream Girl is about a young girl who wants to learn to play the congos, despite people telling her only boys should play the drums.
Both books are about people pushing through obstacles stopping them from playing music and achieving their dreams. They persevere and do what they can to learn to play instruments and get recognition and support.
I would use a venn diagram to compare the situations in the books and have the students find similarities that the musicians have. The students will learn that it takes a lot to be a musician because of scrutiny that comes from the choice, but if you are truly passionate, you will get through until you are successful.
Drum Dream Girl by : How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
Content Area : Music
Ada’s violin is about a young girl who grows up in a small town where they are very poor. Ada wants to learn how to play the violin along with 20 other kids, but the instruments are worth more than homes are and they are very likely to be stolen. Her father makes the best of their situation by making a violin for Ada and the others with stuff they found in their landfills.
Drum Dream Girl is about a young girl who wants to learn to play the congos, despite people telling her only boys should play the drums.
Both books are about people pushing through obstacles stopping them from playing music and achieving their dreams. They persevere and do what they can to learn to play instruments and get recognition and support.
I would use a venn diagram to compare the situations in the books and have the students find similarities that the musicians have. The students will learn that it takes a lot to be a musician because of scrutiny that comes from the choice, but if you are truly passionate, you will get through until you are successful.
December 26, 2016
Using collage of people and things, against a background what seems to be trash, Sally Wern Comport tells the story in picture, while Susan Hood share the words of this inspiring story of how Favio Chávez helped begin the recycled orchestra of Paraguay. He came to the town of Cateura to help families learn how to dig through the trash safely, but soon became concerned for the children. Although they weren’t supposed to be working in the dump, their abilities to search and carry were needed too. Favio Chávez offered to teach music to those who wanted to learn, but soon realized there weren’t enough instruments. Thus began this amazing journey of invention, instruments from trash! The story focuses on Ada, whose persistence and hard work has made her an accomplished violinist. Now this group has grown from a class outdoors of ten kids to over 200 students. They have traveled the world in concerts, and one of the first ones was hosted by the rock band Metallica. And they, along with Favio Chávez, give hope to the poor in this town. There is an author’s note, and additional information at the back. What an inspiring story.
Read
June 18, 2018-Content Area Crossover: Science (Earth Science)
-Twin Text Title: One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul, published in 2015
-Rationale:
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay and One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia have many similarities that I thought made them good twin texts. They both had two female protagonists living in countries outside of the United States dealing with trash piling up in their hometowns. Both girls also find ways to recycle and make use of the trash that is around them. Ada and her friends recycle trash and create an orchestra out of it and Isatou and her friends make purses out of plastic bags.
This would be a good pair of twin texts to do over a unit on recycling because it gives recycling a narrative or story, rather than just telling students about global warming year after year (which is still very important to know, it'll just switch it up a little bit). I think that i would like to do a webbing activity with these books and I would like to have the word "recycle" as the center word.
-Twin Text Title: One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul, published in 2015
-Rationale:
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay and One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia have many similarities that I thought made them good twin texts. They both had two female protagonists living in countries outside of the United States dealing with trash piling up in their hometowns. Both girls also find ways to recycle and make use of the trash that is around them. Ada and her friends recycle trash and create an orchestra out of it and Isatou and her friends make purses out of plastic bags.
This would be a good pair of twin texts to do over a unit on recycling because it gives recycling a narrative or story, rather than just telling students about global warming year after year (which is still very important to know, it'll just switch it up a little bit). I think that i would like to do a webbing activity with these books and I would like to have the word "recycle" as the center word.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 477 reviews