A Basket of Beethoven

Sylvia Pantaleo is an assistant professor of education specializing in
children’s literature at the University of Victoria. She is the
co-author of Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary
Classroom.

Eleven-year-old Sam Garretson and his hard-working mother have relocated
again, this time to a low-rent apartment complex. Peter Gower, the local
bully, also lives in Sam’s building, and Sam gives Peter a wide berth.
Sam is a loner, engages in imaginary play, and is fascinated by any kind
of sound; in his mind, he hears sounds, rhythms, and patterns. When
circumstances involving Peter and Helen, the daughter of a famous
conductor, result in Sam receiving piano lessons from Helen, Sam is
thrilled. However, he must keep the lessons a secret from his mother.
Helen is a very unhappy person, she is unkind to others, and plays an
imaginary game where she communicates with Beethoven, her only friend.
Helen’s haughtiness and overt unfriendliness are challenging for Sam,
but he is determined to learn how to play the piano. Then Peter
discovers Sam’s secret.

Currie, herself driven by music all of her life, tells the story from
the point of view of Sam, Helen, and the imaginary Beethoven. Although
there are many differences between the two main characters, they share a
passion for music. The characters of Peter and Helen are somewhat
stereotypical, but each character does change as a result of their
experiences. The threads of the plot are connected in believable and
engaging ways. Currie provides biographical information about Beethoven
at the end of the book. Recommended.