VENETIAN MYSTERIES

Jared, Shireen and Miranda are three kids forced to live in Venice, Italy for their Dad's job. At first, Miranda is the only one enjoying herself. But an accidental visit to a strange bookstore shines a whole new light on the city on the water. Talking animal statues and creatures jumping out of paintings are just some of the mysterious things that happen to them, and it all seems to parallel a story their Dad is reading to them in a book that is centuries old. How is it possible? 

THROUGH THE SKYLIGHT by Ian Baucom, is a very detailed mystery that has lots of danger and impossibility at every turn. You never know what is going to happen next! 

For grades 5 and up.

July 2014

AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE

Ten years-old Melanie is not quite ready to travel to Italy with her family, especially when she is charged with keeping an eye out for her wandering little brother. This is another winner in the series, with lots of art, gelato, pizza, all recorded in Melanie's travel diary with a great dose of humor of a long suffering older sister.

The Diary of Melanie Martin or How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo, and the Leaning Tower of Pizza by Carol Weston is still funny. A perfect read for 4th - 6th graders.

THE GIRL BEHIND THE SMILE?

Only twelve when the reader first meets Betta in THE SMILE by Donna Jo Napoli, the next dozen years of her life are shared along with some of the history of Italy in this title. Not only does she meet and become friends with many famous people from the Medicis to Leonardo di Vinci, the main character becomes involved in the history of her country as the author tells her version of the story behind the very famous painting.

For grades 6 and older.