"Holiday adventures in the Italian countryside lead to new friendships and understanding."
Interspersed with poems, and set in the forested hills of Perugia, Coral Rumble’s book quietly takes readers on a real adventure, one involving an encounter with a bear, secret escapades, and the forging of new friendships. It’s narrated by Jakub and describes the summer holiday he spends with family friends the Koniks.
Jakub is carer for his mum, who has MS, and is worried about leaving her, and irritated by the Koniks’ daughter Marta, who is the same age, super clever but, in his opinion, childish. The holiday turns out to be quite magical however, as he explores the local area with the family’s neighbour/caretaker Signor Mancini, learning about the wildlife and even befriending an otter. Slowly too, he and Marta become friends as they get to know one another properly.
The setting is beautifully described, and readers will feel that they too have had an Italian holiday, but just as warm and real is the friendship that develops between the two children. Coral Rumble finds time and space for all this in a book that is thoughtful, memorable and full of insight.
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A quiet delight in so many ways. Empathetic and horizon broadening, with child-carer representation, this is a must for any school classroom or library.
This book was such a quiet delight in so many ways. Jakub is a child carer, devoted to his mum with MS and diligently ensuring that he cooks, cleans, helps her to bed and then does his homework. He doesn’t allow himself to think that he might be missing out, but his mother knows he needs a break, and arranges for Jakub to go on holiday to rural Italy with family friends who have a house there.... Read Full Review
