Stones in Water - Softcover

Donna Jo Professor Napoli

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0780796144 ISBN 13: 9780780796140

Publisher: Turtleback Books, 1999

Synopsis

When Roberto sneaks off to see a movie in his Italian village, German soldiers raid the theater and pack them onto a train bound for a work camp. Roberto and his best friend, Samuele, vow to stick together. But Samuele has a terrible secret which, if discovered, could get them both killed.

About this title

About the Author

Donna Jo Napoli is the author of several novels for middle graders and young adults, including The Prince of the Pond, Zel, The Magic Circle, The Bravest Thing, On Guard (all Dutton and Puffin), and most recently, Spinners (Dutton). She lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-9?Napoli, who has written in a variety of genres?fantasy, mystery, realistic fiction, legends?demonstrates that she has mastered historical fiction as well. Sneaking into the cinema to see an American Western during World War II has grave consequences for Roberto, a Venetian middle-school student, his brother, and two friends. The young male audience is trapped by German soldiers and transported by train out of Italy as cheap forced labor. The first project, constructing a tarmac, goes smoothly, despite wretched living conditions. Separated from his older brother, timid Roberto relies on his quick-thinking friend, Samuele. Both realize the necessity of hiding Samuele's Jewish identity from their captors and fellow prisoners. When a "shipment" of Polish Jews arrive and are penned near the labor group, Roberto uses his ingenuity to help feed two Jewish girls with his meager rations. After Samuele is beaten to death trying to save Roberto's scavenged boots, Roberto escapes. He is a displaced gondolier trying to navigate his boat on a modern Styx, a hellish river journey with slim chances for survival. Few books view the Holocaust from this vantage point; few readers are familiar with the Venetian/Italian connection to the work camps. Others will be interested in this story as survivalism from the worst kind of nightmare. Many children will be ensnared by the author's paean to the art and value of storytelling. Samuele's legacy is the nourishing stories that keep Roberto alive. An intense, gripping tale.?Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City Public Library, MO
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Turtleback Books
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0780796144
• ISBN 13: 9780780796140
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224