S.A.S.S.: The Sound of Munich

Reader reviewed by abscae

Siena Bernstein has a task to complete: ship off to Munich so she can find the man who helped smuggle her 9 year old dad out of Germany in the time of World War II. Off to find adventure as well as fill her quest, Siena looks for the best of time while traveling with her new friends and a cute RA.

I liked this book, much better than the other S.A.S.S. book I'd read because this book truly made me feel that what Siena was looking for wasn't just material, but also came from her heart. It's enlightening how the story progresses and when you're done, you truly get an accomplished feeling.

Reader reviewed by Amanda

This is another edition to the Students Across the Seven Seas series, which I am throughly enjoying. Each of these books are about a young woman finding out more about herself than she ever thought possible, while spending a semester of high school overseas.


In The Sound of Munich, which is written by Suzanne Nelson, Siena, a granola loving, free spirit from California, wins a scholarship to spend a semester in Munich, Germany. She is especially excited about this, because her father (who died when she was very young) had relatives from Germany. She felt strongly about learning more about her past while she was studying in the foreign city.


While in Germany, Siena meets a love interest in her resident advisor (a definite no-no), finds two brand new best friends, and sets out on a mission to meet the man that smuggled her father and grandparents across the Berlin Wall. Siena learns more about her family and her own self worth than ever before and has a blast doing so.


The Sound of Munich is very much like the other books in the S.A.S.S. series. A small bit of romance, a lot of soul searching, and a ton of information about foreign places. I feel like I'm visiting them myself, through the high school students' eyes. This was good read, which I would recommend for anyone looking for something quick and light.

Reader reviewed by Sara

"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."

This book is one of the Students Across the Seven Seas books, the first one I've read. The plot of the book is good...something that short books don't always possess. I really like the idea of travelling to different places, especially Europe, and I like YA fiction - so I figured this book would be for me! I was right, but it isn't a fantastic book, just a good one. It isn't one that I would read again, but I would recommend it to other readers.

The main reason that I didn't really love this book was the main character, Siena. I really did like her, but sometimes her "personality" got in the way. The author tries to make her "bohemian", but she just sounded hippie-ish... and not in a good way. Her easy-going vibe was just a little annoying at times. Other than that she was fine.

Reader reviewed by Sara

"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."

First of all, this book was close to being rated a 5. However, I refrained because of the main character, Siena. I really did like her, but sometimes her "personality" got in the way. The author tries to make her "bohemian", but she just sounded hippie-ish... and not in a good way. Her easy-going vibe was just a little annoying at times. Other than that she was fine.

This book is one of the Students Across the Seven Seas books, the first one I've read. I really like the idea of travelling to different places, especially Europe, and I like YA fiction - so I figured this book would be for me! I was right, but it isn't a fantastic book, just a good one. It isn't one that I would read again, but I would recommend it to other readers.

The plot of the book is good...something that short books don't always possess.