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Carolyn Meyer
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In Mozart's Shadow: His Sister's Story Hardcover – June 1, 2008

by Carolyn Meyer (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 16 ratings
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Nannerl Mozart was a musical prodigy who seemed to have a brilliant future. But once her younger brother, Wolfgang, began composing symphonies at the age of five, her career and talents were utterly eclipsed. Here, at last, is Nannerl's heart-wrenching tale. It's the story of her undying passion for music; her relationship with her "miracle boy" brother; and her life as the "other Mozart," the one forgotten by history. The acclaimed Carolyn Meyer has written a powerful historical novel about a little-known but gifted musician who never stopped dreaming. Includes an author's note.
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  1. Reading age
    12 years and up
  2. Print length
    368 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    7 - 9
  5. Lexile measure
    940L
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Clarion Books
  8. Publication date
    June 1, 2008
  9. ISBN-10
    0152055940
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0152055943
  11. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—For many people, knowledge of Nannerl Mozart is confined to the footnotes of her younger brother Wolfgang Amadeus's biography, a fellow wunderkind touring the courts of Europe with her more renowned sibling before fading into the background as an adult. Meyer brings Nannerl to the fore, presenting her as a gifted, sensitive musician whose ambitions for a professional career are thwarted by the restrictions placed on her gender and the demands of her father, who is more interested in promoting his genius son. Her childhood closeness with Wolferl becomes increasingly strained as his career takes him farther from his family and ultimately to a too-early grave. The narrative occasionally descends into a dry recitation of facts, but Meyer creates interesting portraits of Nannerl, the impudent Wolfgang, and their tyrannical father. Give this one to music students and historical fiction devotees.—Christi Voth Esterle, Parker Library, CO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

What was it like to grow up the older sister of a genius composer? Meyer imagines the life of Nannerl Mozart from the time she is 13 and Wolfgang is 8. They perform together before rapt audiences across Europe until his extraordinary talent and genius as a composer overshadow her musical gifts. The feminist message is not overdone, but the novel is far too long and detailed, with numerous similar scenarios of the siblings growing up under the eyes of their devoted, autocratic father and of Wolfgang’s traveling while Nannerl, furious, remains at home (Why must I be left behind again?). In addition, Meyer gives no information about her sources, so it’s hard to know how much is based on fact. Problems aside, Nannerl’s first-person narrative still makes for universal drama, especially because her anger and jealousy never subsume her enduring love for her brother, their mischievous bond, or their shared love of music as refuge and joy. Grades 7-12. --Hazel Rochman

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; First Edition (June 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0152055940
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0152055943
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 940L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 16 ratings

About the author

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Carolyn Meyer

Carolyn Meyer

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My first book, MISS PATCH'S LEARN-TO-SEW BOOK, published more than forty years ago, was intended to teach young girls how to knot thread, make a neat stitch, and sew simple items. The main character of my most recent book, GIRL WITH A CAMERA: MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE, PHOTOGRAPHER (A Novel), is a far cry from the roundish, gray-haired lady with a needle in her hand and spectacles on her nose. Since the thrill of seeing that first book in print, I've written over sixty more books, non-fiction and novels (most recently, historical fiction). In the process I've learned more about writing and a lot about history, a subject that was not my favorite when I was a young student but has become my passion--a passion I love to share with readers.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
16 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Molly Underwood
5.0 out of 5 stars Carolyn Meyer does it again...brillant
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2008
Verified Purchase
I was thrilled to see a new Carolyn Meyer book! I own four other books by her(including the Young Royals Series) and I continue to be huge fan! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. She did a great job describing Nannerl's life while not forgetting about events in Mozart's life. I think it was a great subject to write a novel about and I am thrilled that I gained some new insight into a woman I had never heard of before! It was a great read and Carolyn Meyer did not disappoint me at all. I highly recommend it!
2 people found this helpful
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AnnetteBReviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Fairly Interesting In-Depth Biographical Story of Mozarts
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
Maria Anna Mozart (1751-1829) nicknamed Nannerl was the older sister of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. She wasn’t a prodigy child as her brother, but she was a very talented musician. She was noted as an excellent harpsichord player and fortepianist.

Her story carries triple sadness. She didn’t get the same chance as her brother did, only because she was a girl. Later she was denied to marry a man she loved. And the heart-breaking drift between two siblings who once were inseparable.
This story starts with her at the age of 4, when she already displays musical talent. She is trained by her father Leopold Mozart, a violinist and composer. Four years later, at the same age of 4, her brother displays also a musical talent. Not only that, he is also recognized as a prodigy child.

When Nannerl is 10 and Wolfgang 6, they travel to the royal courts of Europe. First, they leave Salzburg (Austria) for Bavaria (Germany), and Vienna. Later they go on a grand tour throughout the Europe for 3,5 years, waiting for invitations to the royal courts and to be recognized.

When Wolfgang is sent to Venice to continue his musical education, Nannerl is left behind for the first time. It’s a double disappointment for her as she also dreamed of improving her musical skills in Venice.

Nannerl has her first suitor. She likes him, but she doesn’t love him. Her first love is music. If she says yes, that will be the end of her career for which she still hopes.

Her father is not happy with Nannerl for not having a husband. He tells her to be realistic. She takes pupils to bring in some income.

When her friend’s father passes away that gives Nannerl something to think about. Who will support her, when her father is gone?

I struggled with rating this book. I was between 3 or 4 stars. This story is mostly concentrated on their tours, which at some point is monotonous as it seems as reading the same thing over and over again. At the same time, books written about Mozart usually start with him already in Vienna, only briefly mentioning his childhood. So it is interesting to get in depth a biographical story of them both. Therefore, at the end I rated the book at 4 stars.

Also, keep in mind that this book is for YA. The prose is fairly simple.
One person found this helpful
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Bookaholic
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2013
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed learning about Mozart's life and I did not realize that he had a such talented sister. What I didn't care for was all the whining the main character, Mozart's sister, did pretty much throughout the entire book. I plan to read more books pertaining to the topic.
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Rebecca Herman
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent historical novel about Mozart's sister.
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2009
Young Nannerl Mozart, like her younger brother Wolfgang Mozart, has been a talented musician since the time she was a small child. And it is from a young age that she is forced by an unloving and overbearing father to continuously give up her hopes and dreams for the sake of her brother. As a little girl she was allowed to perform by her father, who wanted to show off his children as child prodigies, but even then, she knew he preferred her brother.

When she is too old to be a child prodigy any longer, Nannerl must suffer and sacrifice even more due to the demands of her father, who is determined to put all his efforts into promoting his son's career. Because she is a girl, she cannot become a famous musician, despite her great talent, and because of her father, she is prevented from studying, pursuing a position at court, or marrying the man of her choosing. Though she loves her brother, she becomes increasingly distant from him due to his career and her own unhappiness at the loss of all her dreams.

In Mozart's Shadow is another excellent historical novel from the talented Carolyn Meyer. Once again she takes a young woman from the pages of history and brings her to life with all her feelings, hopes, and dreams. Nannerl Mozart was a talented young woman forced to sacrifice so much for her family, and hopefully this and other books about her will give her some of the fame she rightfully deserved in her own lifetime but was prevented from achieving because of her gender and the demands of her family.
One person found this helpful
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K.Warner
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Triumph
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2008
I have loved every single one of Carolyn Meyer's books. She draws characters so life-like that we grow to love each and every one of them like we personally know them. Princess Catherine has always been my favorite, yet Nannerl might take her place.
Nannerl Mozart is the older and very talented sister of the more famous Wolfgang. She never gives up hope that one day she will be sent to Italy to study, therefore becoming Europe's best female clavier player. However, her control-freak and ambitious father is concentrated fully on young Wolferl, who he believes can bring fame and fortune to the family. Much of their childhood is spent traveling to the grand courts, but when Nannerl wants to go to Italy with her brother she is denied. She has been left home and abandoned mentally by her father. Throughout the book several love intrests pop up, but her true love is an aging captain named Armand, who is by her side all the time even when her father forbids them from marrying.
The writing in this book is flawless. Although a little dragging at parts, I found the detail and imagining very accurate. The only comment I have is that characters with no particular significance to the story, like Davey, shouldn't really have been put in as they have nothing to add. As this is a work that has real people in it, I understand why Nannerl didn't have a happy ending, but at the same time I wish she became a big star and married Armand. But that's history, so it cannot be changed for romantics such as me.
This new Carolyn Meyer book pleases. Nannerl is a strong and hopeful girl, and she might become your new favorite character. If you enjoyed the author's other books, you will certainly like this one.
5 people found this helpful
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