Families who loved Symphony for a Broken Orchestra: How Philadelphia Collected Sounds to Save Music by Amy Ignatow often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child feels discouraged because something they love is broken, or when they feel limited by a lack of resources. It is an ideal choice for the child who sees a flaw and thinks it means the end of the story. By showing how a community transformed 400 broken school instruments into a world-class performance, the book teaches that imperfection can be a source of unique beauty. This narrative nonfiction work explores the power of collective action and creative problem-solving. It handles the reality of school budget cuts and 'brokenness' with a hopeful, proactive spirit. Parents will appreciate how it introduces the concept of advocacy through art, making it a perfect bridge for 5 to 9 year olds to understand how they can help their own communities while celebrating the messy, wonderful process of making music.
