Echo Character Map

Character maps are a helpful tool for students to use as they're reading, although they can also be used after completing a book. In a bildungsroman book like Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan, despite there being four separate stories, the characters are still bound by one thing: a harmonica. In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in Echo, paying close attention to the physical attributes, and the traits of both major and minor characters. They can also provide detailed information regarding the challenges the character faces, the challenges the character imposes, and the importance of the character to the plot of the story. Teachers may also ask students to keep track of how the harmonica positively impacted their lives, and how it passed from one character to the next.

Characters from Echo

• Otto Messenger
• Eins
• Zwei
• Drei
• Friedrich Schmidt
• Elisabeth Schmidt
• Papa
• Uncle Gunter
• Mike Flannery
• Frankie Flannery
• Eunice Sturbridge
• Mr. Howard
• Ivy Maria Lopez
• Fernando Lopez
• Susan Ward
• Kenny Yamamoto

Due Date:

Objective: Create a character map for the characters in Echo.

Student Instructions:

1. Identify the main and supporting characters in the novel and type their names into the different title boxes.
2. Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the book characters.
• Select colors and a pose appropriate to the story and the character's traits.
3. Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
4. Fill in Textables for "Physical/Character Traits", "How does this character interact with the other characters?", and "What challenges does this character face?"