BOOK TRAILER LINK: youtube/watch?v=MjAcAGThis review was written by "CanLit for LittleCanadians", not me:) Just so you know "The harmony of Melody and Jenny is a powerful force, helping the two girls face extraordinary life challenges of death, shame, prejudice, grief, fear, and abuse. Together they support each other as no one else could, providing the strength needed to overcome those challenges. For two young girls, they endure much trauma, both within their families and more publicly. But Ja [...]

Once again, Jan L. Coates has penned an amazing novel about the resiliency of a young person. Her well developed and very believable main character, Jennifer, is painfully shy and bullied by her classmates. When she befriends a First Nations girl, she learns first hand about racial prejudice; and when a sad event happens to her family, she learns about grief. A cameo appearance of a well known celebrity adds to the story. This book will make you cringe, laugh and cry as Jennifer navigates life i [...]

The Power of Harmony by Jan L. Coates is a fictional story based in the late 1960’s in Nova Scotia, Canada. This novel was an Atlantic Book Awards finalist, and for good reason, I might add. In Spring of 2017 the Nova Scotia Board of Education purchased copies for every school in the province!The main character, Jennifer, loves to sing, but she is very afraid to sing in public. She prepares for a competition anyway, with not-so-good results, and has to deal with being ridiculed later. With her [...]

I've been wanting to read this book for quite a while and found it very much worth the wait. The Power of Harmony is a fascinating story told in a unique, natural-sounding voice. I enjoyed the colloquial way of speaking in a style that may be true only to Nova Scotia, for example: "looks over top her glasses" is an expression I'd never heard said in that exact way. I found it interesting to learn about the mines, and fun to recognize musical references. Many important issues play out during the [...]

Middle grade novel about (among other things) social stereotypes erroneously given to native people in Nova Scotia (and across the continent) in the 1960s. Still incredibly and sadly relevant in today's society, I believe. An excellent read for children and adults; will evoke good conversation between generations about racism, friendship and peer pressure. School librarians will want this on their roster of "teachable" literature.

Great characterization. Jennifer and Melody are bulled at school but they have a common bond they both like singing and reading. Melody is a Micmac Native and she is portrayed in a very powerful light. Book exposes bullying and prejudice toward Native people.The book is written in the past about the coal miners near Springhill NS and so witness some history and the prejudice of the time.

Good Canadian read about a young girl growing up in Springhill Nova Scotia in the 1960's. A lot of ground is covered here: bullying, bigotry, sorrow, overcoming your fears. Loved the inclusion of a young Mi'kmaq girl as her best friend.

A well written, sweet story about the power of friendship and music. This has to be one of the best books I have ever read.