The Mozart Question

A parent might reach for this book when helping their child understand why some family stories are painful and difficult to share, especially those connected to historical trauma. This gentle novella introduces the Holocaust through the story of a world-famous violinist, Paolo Levi, who has always forbidden reporters from asking one thing: 'the Mozart question.' He finally reveals that his parents, both musicians, were forced to play in a concentration camp orchestra, and the trauma of that experience silenced the music of Mozart in their home forever. The story sensitively explores themes of grief, memory, and the healing power of art and truth. It's an ideal, poignant entry point to a difficult subject for thoughtful older children, sparking conversation about how history shapes our families.