The Girl Who Heard the Music - by Marni Fogelson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Mahani Teave grew up on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, one of the most remote islands in the world, where moai statues stand and music is everywhere. When she began taking lessons on the island's only piano, she proved to be a great talent. She left Rapa Nui when she was just nine to continue her music education, wishing she didn't have to leave such a beautiful place to pursue her dreams. She became an internationally acclaimed classical pianist, playing around the world for all kinds of audiences. But her island home kept calling her back. Years later, she returned to Rapa Nui to stay, and with a new dream: to save its environment and culture. She helped create a music and arts school, so that children there could learn music in ways that kept the island's unique traditions alive. Mahani also saw the island's struggles with sustainability issues and pollution from tourism and ocean plastics, so the school was built using of thousands of tires, bottles, and cans in its walls, and incorporates rain barrels, solar panels, and a food garden. Mahani and her team have created an inspiring place that celebrates the land of Rapa Nui and its people"--

Book Synopsis

The true story of award-winning pianist and environmental activist Mahani Teave and the beloved island she is helping to save.

"This upbeat and fascinating story will leave readers feeling as though they, too, can make a difference when it comes to helping the planet."--Kirkus Reviews

Imagine living on a tiny island more than a thousand miles from any other inhabited place! That's where a girl named Mahani lived--on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. Mahani grew up taking music lessons on the island's only piano. She had the talent to become a great pianist, but pursuing that dream meant leaving the home she loved.

As Mahani toured the world as an acclaimed concert pianist, Rapa Nui stayed close to her heart. She knew the island struggled with problems like ocean trash and wondered how she could help. So she returned to Rapa Nui with a new dream--to build a music school! The unique building is constructed with recycled trash and has solar panels and a food garden. Now Mahani is helping build a more sustainable future for her island home--where the music continues.

The perfect choice for parents looking for:

• Inspiring nonfiction about women making a difference
• Stories about sustainability and saving the environment
• Kids STEAM books

Review Quotes

""Features colorful illustrations throughout, many pages showcasing the beauty of music." -- Youth Services Book Review, STARRED Review" -- Youth Services Book Review, STARRED Review

"Writing with Fogelson in third-person prose, Teave tells the story of her own path to musical success and her eventual conservation work at home on Rapa Nui, island site of the world-famous moai." -- Publishers Weekly

" Accompanied by vibrant, delightful visuals, this upbeat and fascinating story will leave readers feeling as though they, too, can make a difference when it comes to helping the planet." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Inspiration abounds... [with] cultural details in almost every scene... excellent back matter" -- Booklist