Ada's Violin

Ada Ríos lives in a community built on a landfill in Paraguay, where many residents work as recyclers collecting and selling garbage. Her grandmother signs her up for music lessons with an innovative teacher who has started an unusual orchestra program in their neighborhood of Cateura. The orchestra uses instruments crafted entirely from materials found in the landfill - violins made from oil drums, cellos from tin containers, and flutes from water pipes. Ada learns to play violin and joins other young musicians from her community as they prepare for performances. This true story documents how music and creativity transformed lives in one of Latin America's poorest areas. The narrative demonstrates the universal power of art to inspire hope and create opportunity in unexpected places.

Readers emphasize the book's success in telling a true story of hope and perseverance. Parents and teachers report the book resonates with children ages 6-12 while teaching about recycling, music, and poverty. Liked: - Illustrations capture both hardship and beauty - Clear, accessible writing for young readers - Shows real impact of music education - Includes actual photos and author's note - Works for classroom discussions Disliked: - Some found the subject matter too heavy for very young children - A few noted pacing issues in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (450+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review Reader quote: "My 4th grade students connected with Ada's story and asked to learn more about the recycled orchestra. The book opened their eyes to how other children live." - Teacher review on Amazon

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🎻 Ada Ríos and her fellow musicians played instruments made entirely from recycled materials found in the landfill where many of their families worked in Cateura, Paraguay. 🌟 The Recycled Orchestra (Orchestra of Recycled Instruments) has performed internationally, including concerts in Brazil, Colombia, Japan, and even at a Metallica concert. 📚 Author Susan Hood conducted extensive research for the book, including traveling to Paraguay to meet Ada and the orchestra members in person. 🎵 The violin in the story was crafted from an old paint can, wooden crate pieces, a fork, and reclaimed wire - yet it produced beautiful music in skilled hands. 🏆 The book has won numerous awards, including the Green Earth Book Award and the Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, highlighting both its environmental and social justice themes.