The Harmonica by Tony Johnston illustrated by Ron Mazellan*

This story was inspired by a true story concerning Henryk Rosmaryn (who later changed his name to Henry Rosmarin when he came to the United States).
This story is told in first person and is very lyrical (like music!) with lots of similes and metaphors.
Nazis take a young Jewish Polish boy into a camp, away from his parents.  His precious possession, his harmonica, he keeps hidden but plays it one night when he senses his parents have died.  The commandant of the camp overhears him and demands that he plays Schubert for him.
The boy feels like he is aiding the enemy by playing for the commandant but his conscience is later relieved when he learns he is bringing hope to his fellow prisoners.
Strategies: figurative language, inferring
*Highly recommend.
The illustrations depict the mood of the story well.
Guided Reading Level: W (6th grade and older)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7
Borrowed from the library.