Review Detail

‘Our Little Mushroom’ by Emily Arnold McCully tells the story of Franz Schubert and his friends. It tells about his childhood and how his father didn’t foresee his future in music, even though Franz really wanted that to be his career. The story is a testament to the power of friendship and thinking the very best of someone despite any obstacles in one’s way. Franz’s friends stood by him through thick and thin, finding him paper to write his compositions on, pianos to use for practice, and places to stay as he set his sights on his goal.

When he needed to get his music out to the masses, they held Schubertiades—events in people’s houses during which Franz would play the piano, people would dance, eat, play charades, and more. When he got sick near the end of his life, his friends pooled their money, hired a theater, and allowed Franz the chance to have a public concert. Months after the concert sold out, he passed away at the young age of 31. His friends continued to publish more of his works in the years following his death, with new pieces being discovered for the next 150 years, well into the 20th century.

Music is powerful in and of itself, but coupled with the power of friendship, hard work, and determination, Franz Schubert and friends proved that anything is possible. One just has to see the worth of their dream.