BIBLIOGRAPHY: Napoli, Donna Jo. 1997. Stones in Winter. New York, NY: Dutton's Children's Books. ISBN 0525458425
PLOT SUMMARY: Young Venetian boys learn how to survive, when forcibly taken by Nazi soldiers to work in a work camp.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Students of the WWII will be riveted by the setting of this book. First set in beautiful with the descriptions of the water and gondolas quickly changes to the atrocities of child labor camps. The description of a cold winter, harsh living conditions in the camp, the feeling of starvation and the life of an escapee will transport a young reader to Europe during WWII. Samuele and Roberto are rounded up with other boys attending a movie. They are sent to a work camp, where Samuele helps Roberto to cope by telling him stories. Working on a "pen", the boys befriend two Polish Jewish girls. Sharing the little food rations they have with the girls, they give Roberto a present "stones". When Samuele dies after a fight over Roberto's boots, Roberto escapes. The second story of survival is filled with accounts of Germans trying to track him, fighting off wolves, starvation, eating slugs and freezing cold. After helping Jewish people. Roberto is a hero. This riveting story of friendship and hardship will be an addition to any WWII lesson.
AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
An NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
"A gripping, meticulously researched story." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An intense, gripping tale." --School Library Journal, starred review
"An affecting coming-of-age novel with a vivid and undeniable message about the human costs of war." --The Horn Book
CONNECTIONS: Connect in the classroom with themes of survival, German-occupied Italy, WWII, Italy, and work camps. Historical events, figures and locations: German Work Camps, Nazis, Italian Resistence Movement- Partigiano
PLOT SUMMARY: Young Venetian boys learn how to survive, when forcibly taken by Nazi soldiers to work in a work camp.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Students of the WWII will be riveted by the setting of this book. First set in beautiful with the descriptions of the water and gondolas quickly changes to the atrocities of child labor camps. The description of a cold winter, harsh living conditions in the camp, the feeling of starvation and the life of an escapee will transport a young reader to Europe during WWII. Samuele and Roberto are rounded up with other boys attending a movie. They are sent to a work camp, where Samuele helps Roberto to cope by telling him stories. Working on a "pen", the boys befriend two Polish Jewish girls. Sharing the little food rations they have with the girls, they give Roberto a present "stones". When Samuele dies after a fight over Roberto's boots, Roberto escapes. The second story of survival is filled with accounts of Germans trying to track him, fighting off wolves, starvation, eating slugs and freezing cold. After helping Jewish people. Roberto is a hero. This riveting story of friendship and hardship will be an addition to any WWII lesson.
AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
An NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
"A gripping, meticulously researched story." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"An intense, gripping tale." --School Library Journal, starred review
"An affecting coming-of-age novel with a vivid and undeniable message about the human costs of war." --The Horn Book
CONNECTIONS: Connect in the classroom with themes of survival, German-occupied Italy, WWII, Italy, and work camps. Historical events, figures and locations: German Work Camps, Nazis, Italian Resistence Movement- Partigiano
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