Flowers for Sarajevo

January 30, 2017
McCutcheon follows Christmas in the Trenches with another powerful story of a musical performance that defied the horror of combat. During the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, a mortar attack in Sarajevo killed 22 people waiting in line for bread. The next day, a cellist appeared in the square where the attack occurred and played Albinoni’s “Adagio.” Vedran Smailovic played for 22 successive days—one for each victim. McCutcheon’s story introduces Drasko, whose father sells flowers in the marketplace where the massacre occurred. When his father leaves to fight, Drasko takes over the flower stand. After the cellist’s performance, the healing power of Smailovic’s music is seen in Drasko’s impulsive generosity: “Please take them,” he says to a woman buying roses. “Today they are free.” Newcomer Caldwell’s strongly drafted artwork observes the variety of faces in the market square and the classic European architecture that surrounds it. In an afterword, McCutcheon recounts a poignant exchange: “Why are you playing where there is bombing?” a soldier demanded. “Why are you bombing where I am playing?” Smailovic replied. An audio
CD is included. Ages 7–10.