The Sound of Munich (S.A.S.S.) [Paperback]

Suzanne Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Series: S.A.S.S. | Publication Date: March 2, 2006

Siena Bernstein is leaving her yoga mat behind for a semester of study abroad in Munich. She’s thrilled with the prospect of a German adventure (her horoscope is encouraging as well), but she hopes to make more than just her dreams come true while she’s there. Siena’s dad, who passed away when she was a baby, kept a "Carpe Diem" list—sort of his top-ten adventurous things to do. He completed all but one of the tasks—going to Germany to thank the man who helped smuggle his family past the Berlin Wall. Amidst her adventures in biergartens, Alpine skiing, and a rigorous course load, Siena is on a quest to complete her father’s list. But she’s also set on having the best possible time while she tries. With the help of two new best buds and a handsome RA in her dorm, she’ll surely succeed.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10–Siena's deceased father was an East German refugee. When the free-spirited 17-year-old American has a chance to study in Munich, she embraces the opportunity to try to do what he wanted to do himself: locate and thank the man responsible for his freedom. The task proves harder than she thought when his very common name, a demanding course load, a relationship with a Eurohottie resident adviser, and a considerable language barrier threaten to impede her progress. Yet, with two new friends to keep her in check, Siena's faith in good karma finally pays off, and she meets her objective. Emotion-filled trips to Dachau and the Berlin Wall help her understand that some things are worth taking a chance for (e.g., liberty, morality, and justice). Siena makes lasting friendships, enjoys a little romance, and finds a missing part of herself. With likable characters and a plot that is as straightforward as it is swift, this installment will please fans of the series.–Erin Senig-Schirota, Bronxville Public Library, NY
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Speak (March 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142405760
• ISBN-13: 978-0142405765
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...Siena is sure to become your new 'om girl!, March 9, 2007

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sound of Munich (S.A.S.S.) (Paperback)

Seventeen-year-old California girl, Siena Bernstein, was just an infant when her father died. However, not having known the man has not stopped her from loving him. In fact, being in possession of his Carpe Diem List has only made the bond with her and her deceased father even stronger. Which is why, as she embarks on a trip to Munich, Germany as part of the S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) Program, she is boarding the flight with a mission...to find the man who helped her father and grandparents escape war and concentration camps, and make their way to America. It was back in 1963 when Peter Schwalm helped her father and his grandparents escape the fighting, so that they could create a new life for themselves in a safe place - America. However, Siena's father never had the opportunity to thank Peter for putting his life on the line to save theirs. Therefore, Siena is determined to do just that. However, upon arriving in Munich, she realizes that the task is near impossible. After all, there are over three-hundred Peter Schwalm's residing in Germany, and only three months to muddle through them all. But Siena, a free-spirit, yoga-loving girl is determined to make her way through the list and find him, no matter how long it takes. Luckily, she has two new great friends - Chen and Meg - to help her on her quest. Together, the three girls spend time searching for Peter Schwalm, but never forget to take a little time out to have some fun. From visiting biergartens, to dancing the night away at some local hot spots, and even Alpine skiing. But when Siena realizes that her course-load seems to be dragging her down, she knows that it's time to buckle down to her studies, and get serious about her semester abroad. Now, with the help of uber-genius, Chen, Siena must learn the language of her family, put some emotion into her video for Film class, and remember the various dates that History requires. But the only dates Siena truly wants to remember are the ones she's dying to share with super-hottie, and the RA of her dorm, Stefan. Siena can feel the sparks flying between her and Stefan - or, at least that's what she thinks they are - but can't seem to get him past the "no fraternizing with students" rule. Siena would give anything for a foreign fling with the German god, but she doesn't want to be responsible for the cutie losing his job over something as trivial and tiny as a short-term romance. So, to take her mind off of the irresistible Stefan, she throws herself headfirst into her classes, and her quest for Peter. However, when things begin to look down, Siena can't help but feel that it's time to throw in the towel, and head back to her home in the wonderful U.S. of A, where she can go back to her job as baker and barista at Sweet Sara's, and her daily gab fests with her best friend, Lizzie. But for Siena to truly embrace her roots, she's going to have to suck up her insecurities, and make it through one of the toughest (yet most enjoyable) experiences of her life.

While I have read almost every installment in the S.A.S.S. series, I can honestly say that Suzanne Nelson's THE SOUND OF MUNICH is one of my absolute favorites. From page one, Siena's mindlessness, and ability to lose everything she touches is humorous, and a quirk that readers with a penchant for misplacing items will easily relate to. However, it is her free-spirit, and belief that everything happens for a reason, and that we should all live life to the fullest, that truly make her likable. Unlike many other characters in teen fiction, Siena doesn't fit the typical mold of a girl who is perfect, without flaws of any kind. In fact, Siena is almost the complete opposite. She embraces her quirks and traits - no matter how embarrassing they are - from her ability to constantly trip over her own feet, to her inability to conceal her laughter at just about every inappropriate moment. Siena embalms what a true teenage girl is - from her many mistakes and mishaps, to her constant flakiness. It is these things that make Siena...Siena. Nelson has done a marvelous job of creating a character with true personality, whose mission is one of substance, as opposed to a quest to find the perfect shade of lip gloss. Her interactions with the people around her, and her kindness to everyone - even those who drive her insane - is catching; while her beliefs to seize the day leave readers in the same frame of mind. With craziness and flare to spare, Siena is sure to become your new 'om girl!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr gut! (Very good!), August 9, 2006

By 

Love2Read "Sammi" (Fairfax, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sound of Munich (S.A.S.S.) (Paperback)

This book is the best of the S.A.S.S. series. In this book, readers will enjoy Siena's eccentric personality, along with her love of astrology and "flakiness." She is a great protagonist and this book depicts Germany very well. If you take German, be sure to read this book - you'll really enjoy it!

Have a great read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Best S.A.S.S. so far!, June 30, 2006

By 

TybaltTino "Tino" (Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sound of Munich (S.A.S.S.) (Paperback)

This is by far the BEST S.A.S.S. book yet!
Instead of the old- Go to foreign country, make friends, have a blast, fail a test, find love, ace test- this book had more depth. It told the tale of Sienna, a girl who's half German, but feels completely American. She wants to discover more about her German culture and perhaps complete her father's Carpe Diem list while she's at it. She discovers the trauma of WWII first hand and learns the rich and bold history of those who risked their lives to save others during hard times. And, she even meets a cute guy along the way.

I really loved this, and all S.A.S.S. and non-S.A.S.S. readers should pick up a copy today! :)