The Cello of Mr. O - Study Guide

Synopsis: A little girl living in a city under attack finds courage and inspiration with the help of Mr. O, a curmudgeonly cellist, who demonstrates the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.

General Review: In a war-torn city, a child struggles with many emotions. Her father is away fighting. The neighborhood is not safe. The child and her friends must play indoors, beset by fears and anxieties. A world-famous, elderly musician, Mr. O, who lives in her large apartment building is impatient and angry with the children. But when a rocket destroys the relief truck that brings their rations, Mr. O surprises everyone with his selfless courage. He takes his cello outside and, in plain view of the enemy, he plays beautiful and inspiring music. The courage of the cellist makes the girl and all the others feel less angry. The music makes them feel less afraid. When a well-aimed rocket destroys the cello, the girl discovers her own courage and takes action that inspires the old man to carry on.

This book would be a good read-aloud for leading discussions about personal courage, about intergenerational friendship, about mutual support in times of trouble, about the role art can play in helping people through difficulties, and about the events of September 11 in New York.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think the mother has made the right decision? Why or why not?

2. What do you think the children talk about when they play under the staircase? Do you think they wish their school was open? If they could have three wishes, what do you think those three wishes would be?

3. Why do you think Mr. O is so impatient with the children?

4. Why does the enemy destroy Mr. O’s cello?

5.What motivates the girl to draw the picture for Mr. O?

6. How do we know that Mr. O appreciates what the girl has done?

7. Do you think one person showing courage can inspire courage in other people? Why or why not?

8. Have you ever changed your mind about someone you disliked? What made you change?

9. What do you think will happen to the girl and the rest of the people in the book?

10. The girl feels angry. How do you think you would feel in her situation?

11. After the September ll, 200l, terrorist attack in New York City, Charles Lloyd, a jazz saxiophonist, said, “. . . something in my heart was bursting out of wanting to be of service. . .”, Mike Einziger, a guitarist, said, “I think music is one of the most powerful things in the world. . . it’s got as much power as anything else to do powerful things. . .”. Do you think Mr. O might have been thinking along these lines? Do you think music is powerful? Do you think playing music can be a way of being of service in difficult times? Can you describe how you think music might work to comfort people in times of trouble?

12. What are some other ways people can help one another in wartime or after a violent act has taken place?