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Welcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. During this time of Covid, many people aren’t able to use the library in the same way as in the past. To help bring more stories to more readers, many publishing companies are allowing books that are normally unavailable for copyright reasons to be read out loud and shared with others until June 30, 2023. The stories that fall under that special permission will all be taken down on that date, so listen now, while they’re available! Today’s story is shared with permission of Penguin Random House Publishing Company. 

Some of the happiest years of my life were when I lived in Michigan, especially the time I spent in the vicinity of Howell, in Livingston County. In some ways, I feel as if part of me will always be there, walking along the country roads, exploring along the banks of ponds and lakes, and even shivering during the cold but beautiful winters. I was so happy to discover this book by Glendon Swarthout, The Melodeon, that takes place just a few miles south of Howell! 

In this story, James is spending the year with his grandparents, Will and Ella Chubb, on their farm. Along with learning how to do farm chores and gather eggs, James also learns about his family history, including the story of how his great-grandmother Sarah received a beautiful melodeon from her husband as he left to fight in the Civil War. During a tremendous blizzard, James’s grandmother, Ella, decides she wants to give that precious melodeon to the church for their Christmas Day services. How can Grandpa Will and James help this come to pass?

To find out, sit back, relax, and listen to this story come to life.

Listening to audiobooks really does count as reading, and there's no better way to relax than to hear Stories Come to Life!