The middle grade market is flourishing with stories that have a strong Italian flavor, combining fun and adventure with a local twist. One example is “Una casa fuori dal tempo” by Beatrice Masini, a compelling and accessible book that offers a pleasant reading experience for younger readers.
C’era il vento, e portava quell’aroma di pino, polvere e sale che Vera ha imparato a riconoscere come l’odore di mare. E papaveri nell’erba altissima accanto agli scavi, e altri fiori bianchi come stelline.
The story follows Vera, a young English orphan who, in the 19th century, joins her older brother, an archaeologist, on an all-Italian adventure to discover the ruins of Pompei. But the story also follows Ginestra, a young daughter of ancient Pompei, who survived the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and remained trapped in the folds of time in search of the truth about the fate of her family. The paths of the two girls are destined to cross and lead both on a journey of growth and awareness.
La battaglia di Pompei. Anno 70 d.C. Questo almeno Vera lo sa. Solo che il nemico non era un esercito. Era nella terra e nel vento.
A fundamental theme of the book is relationships, especially the one between man and nature, and the one between the present and the past. The first is represented by the history of Pompei itself: a city at the height of its splendor, surprised by a natural phenomenon as unpredictable as lethal. The second is represented by the profession of the archaeologist, which can be practiced with respect and morality or without scruples nor care; only for one’s profit. Where the ruins now lie, there once were people, filled with life. As Vera reminds us, “a cast is not scary, but it hurts, because it is not just an idea, the idea of a being who died centuries ago, it is something that existed and still exists.” Therefore, if the site of Pompei is to be admired by todays’ public, the story of those ancient people, their values and aspirations, should be remembered and passed on.
Adesso corri, corri e non puoi pensare, e correndo dimentichi tutto, sei un animale in cerca di salvezza, solo questo.
E quando poi ti fermi, allora ricordi. Ed è tardi.
“Una casa fuori dal tempo” talks about loneliness and friendship, death and acceptance. These themes might seem difficult to navigate for such a young audience, but they are handled with the necessary mix of sensitivity and realism, through the voices of vivid characters who are the same age as the reader. Vera is resourceful, enthusiastic about traveling with her brother and exploring new places full of mystery. Ginestra is an old soul, carrying heavy memories, but she still knows how to play, running into fountains and having fun just like a child. The interaction between the two girls is full of ups and downs, doubts and revelations, love and jealousy. Ultimately, the story shows how trust and mutual understanding are necessary tools for learning to live life to the fullest.
Eri un frammento di passato, una scheggia, un niente. Tu vedevi tutto e tutti, e loro non vedevano te.
Poi è arrivata Vera, e ti ha guardato. E niente è più stato lo stesso. Sei diventata Ginestra, e tutto è cambiato.
A plethora of interesting secondary characters surround the two girls, from the charming painter Alfonso to the stubborn archaeologist Camilla, the small and likeable Nico and the wicked Lord Morton. To make the book even more appealing to young readers, Elisabetta Stoinich’s illustrations show the places Vera visited, the plants she collected in her herbarium, sketches of jewelry, statues, and other artifacts unearthed during archaeological excavations, and finally a portrait of the two friends, Vera and Ginestra, united outside of time.
In conclusion, “Una casa fuori dal tempo” is an engaging and immersive read that manages to recreate a lost, entirely Italian world and bring it into the present, accompanied by profound and positive messages.
Title: Una casa fuori dal tempo
Author: Beatrice Masini
ISBN code: 9788804787044
Publisher: Mondadori
What you will find in this book:
The mysteries of ancient Pompei
Grief and healing
Found family dynamics