“Thirteen-year-old Jody is living in Berlin with her military family and playing music in a string trio with her two best friends when her life gets turned upside down. This is around the time of the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Jody and her friends witness a military execution, then try to rescue the dead soldier’s body from the river. Only he isn’t dead. The three then become responsible for Arvo, a young Estonian soldier who just wants to make it home by way of Paris—a great opportunity for them, as they have a music competition in Paris that their parents aren’t able to take them to. So they disguise themselves, hop a train to Paris, book a youth hostel . . . What could be simpler? But in Paris things begin to go wrong, and soon the girls find themselves alone in a strange city with no money and nowhere to stay. What could have become a horrific episode turns into a testament to the kindness of strangers as the girls find help and refuge in unlikely places, even boarding at the bookstore Shakespeare & Company. Second Fiddle is a loving testimonial to friendship, the power of music to bring people together, and the delight of the impromptu. This is Portland author Rosanne Parry’s second book for middle readers, following her excellent Heart of a Shepherd.”—Amanda MacNaughton, Paulina Springs Books, with locations in Sisters and Redmond, OR