Alicia kim's blog

Introduction:

Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams is a young adult novel in stanzas, published in 2024. The book follows a young pianist named Helena who is devastated when her best friend Katrin flees East Germany before the Berlin Wall fell. Lucas, another musician who supports her in achieving her goal of becoming a conductor, offers her calmness and encouragement. Motivated by her father and Lucas, Helena participates in protests, standing up to the authoritarian government despite mass slaughters and arrests. 

Analysis:

This novel shows how music can console one’s emotions and mental well-being. Through each scene in which Helena plays piano, she gains healing from music, and this indicates music therapy in a way. This story also presents Lucas and Helena’s relationship. They grew their relationship through interacting with each other through music. Helena’s choices to protest and thoughts about escaping are inspired by Lucas and her father. Even though the book briefly talks about Helena’s friend, Katrin, who fled East Germany right before the Berlin Wall fell. The author points out that she was fortunate enough not to get affiliated with the fights against the government and the people. The story culminates in the aspect of human rights as Helena gets more exposed to society and the government, and how authoritative the government is when it comes to human rights. This is especially emphasized through the response to the protests by the Germans on the streets. This scene presents the bravery of the protestors to take the risk and fight against the government. This also showed how cruel the defensive tactics against the protestors were through the arrests and slaughters on the streets. The book reflects on various themes such as freedom, hope, music, and more. The German government restricted each citizen’s right, the right to speak up for themselves. Helena portrayed how music gave her consolation and encouragement, and illustrates her hopes for the future. 

Conclusion: 

Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams is a young adult novel in verses written and published by Shari Green in 2024. The story begins with Helena, a young pianist who lives in East Germany. She is depressed that her best friend, Katrin, fled. However, she meets Lucas, another pianist who helps her find herself through music. They develop their friendship, eventually into a relationship, and inspire each other to stand up for themselves, as presented through their protests. The author introduced three themes of freedom, music, and hope. These are represented through a few scenes, such as protesting in the streets, playing piano, and hoping to achieve her dream and goal.