ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Renee Riva writes humorous stories with a message, for both children and adults. Having been raised in a large Italian family with a great sense of humor, she has much to draw from for developing quirky characters.
She loves sharing her secrets for story starters at Young Author events, helping to spark the imagination of young minds. Renee and her husband live in Richland, Washington, with their three daughters, a dog, a cat, and until recently, her beloved hamster—may she rest in peace.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A. J. Degulio loved the idea of a visit to the Old Country... until her family decided to stay. It's 1972 and she's turning fourteen in a crumbling castle on a hill in Tuscany, wishing she were back in Idaho with her beloved dog, Sailor. In Italy, her blonde hair makes her stick out like a vanilla wafer in a box of chocolate biscotti, and she's so lonely her best friend is a nun from the local convent.
The challenges of roots and relatives are nothing new to A. J., but she's going to need more than the famous Degulio sense of humor to survive. Can't anyone see that Italy isn't really home? It will take a catastrophe - and a few wise words from a friend - for A. J. to understand that sometimes the only thing you can change is your perspective.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Taking Tuscany, go HERE
My Review:
I loved this book. It is the sequel to Saving Sailor but can stand alone. After you read it if you have not read the first you will want too. I have read both and highly recommend them. They have become a family affair. My aunt, grandma, cousins and me.
In this book A.J. is turning 14 in Tuscany Italy. Her family moved there when they inherited a run down villa. A.J. never expected to be there years later. She misses her dog Sailor and her friend Danny in Idaho. Poor A.J. has a hard time fitting in with the local girls. This is a wonderful coming of age story but a little more. A.J. and her family are interesting quirky characters. The author's humor/wit shows also in laugh out loud pieces. Her descriptions of the setting is good also. Between the characters, the setting, and the plot this is a fantastic book. Highly recommended. :)
1 comment:
This sounds like a really fun read! So, you pass your copies around the family? That's so cool. I miss sharing books with my mother.
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