This is the story of an ordinary child, as ordinary as are all children, and a unique one, as is each child.  It is the story of a child who wore the dark sadness of a borrowed coat that was too big for him.  Everyone called him Troublemaker – perhaps because he was the poorest and saddest of all the children.  At some point, he decided that if you’re called Troublemaker, then you ought to become one.  But, are you really a…. troublemaker?  It is a story inspired by the true stories of musicians playing in El Sistema and the world renowned “Bolivar” Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.

It is a story about faith in mankind and about humanity.  It is a story about the power of art and culture against poverty and social exclusion.

A few words about El Sistema (The System):  Years ago, in Caracas, musician and economist Joe Antonio Abreu envisioned that music could change the lives of impoverished and marginalized children.  He decided to make his dream a reality: in 1975, together with volunteer teachers and an initial group of 11 children, he formed the first orchestra.  Known as El Sistema, his plan, which the government of Venezuela immediately embraced and has since supported, is not only a different way of learning music, but also a powerful weapon against child and juvenile delinquency, against poverty and social exclusion.  The seed has borne “fruit” in the form of 150 children and youth orchestras – 90 of them symphony.  More than 500,000 children throughout Venezuela are members of an orchestra.  Another important product of El Sistema is the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, the world renowned symphony orchestra of Venezuela.  The principles of El Sistema have spread and are practiced in over 50 countries around the globe.  El Sistema is a dream that became a reality, an experience, a way of life, proving that music…. saves.

(source:  from the book’s back cover)

The TroublemakerAuthor: Aggeliki DarlasiPublisher: PatakisPages: 50Grade: 5th – 6th[Posting date: 1/19/2015]