Rosa, Sola

by Carmela A Martino

Overview

NOTE: this revised edition includes a new "Discussion Questions" section for classroom use.


Rosa Bernardi, an only child living with her Italian immigrant parents in 1960s Chicago, often feels alone, or SOLA, as her parents would say. But after she holds her best friend AnnaMaria's baby brother for the first time, Rosa is sure that if she prays hard enough, God will send her a brother of her own. When Rosa's prayers for a sibling are answered, she is overjoyed--until tragedy strikes. Rosa is left feeling more SOLA than ever, and wondering if her broken family will ever be whole again.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940157146566
Publisher:	Carmela A Martino
Publication date:	08/24/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	305 KB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

CARMELA MARTINO is a freelance writer and writing teacher living in the Chicago area. She wrote ROSA, SOLA while working on her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. The novel was named to several award lists, including Booklist’s “Top Ten First Novels for Youth” and the Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of the year.

Carmela’s credits for young readers also include short stories and poems in anthologies and magazines. Her articles and essays for adults have appeared in the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, WRITER'S DIGEST, and multiple editions of the CHILDREN'S WRITER'S AND ILLUSTRATIOR'S MARKET (Writer’s Digest Books). She teaches writing workshops for both children and adults at various locations, including the College of DuPage, where she’s been an adjunct instructor since 1998. She founded TeachingAuthors.com, a blog by six children’s authors who are also writing teachers, where she posts regularly.

For more information, visit carmelamartino.com, where you can also join her e-newsletter mailing list.

Editorial Reviews

Fourth-grader Rosa, the daughter of Italian immigrant parents, is tired of being an only child. . . . A faithful Catholic child, she decides to pray. Every day, she asks for a younger sibling. . . . Rosa's prayers seem to have been answered when her mother becomes pregnant. Then, tragedy strikes. Rosa is more alone than ever. . . Will Rosa's family ever heal from their pain? Author Martino's first novel is a moving account of desperate longing and family love. (refers to hardcover edition)

Heidi Hauser Green, Children's Literature

Gr 4-6 Loss and healing play a central part in this gentle and moving story of an Italian immigrant family. . . . The story unfolds layer by layer, revealing each character's personality, secrets, and flaws. The author does not spare the difficulty of the situation and realistically depicts the ramifications of of the tragedy. The healing is drawn honestly and the ending is ultimately hopeful. Italian words are defined in context and included in a glossary. (text refers to hardcover edition)

Kristen Oravec, School Library Journal

*Starred Review* . . .As middle-grade readers follow Rosa through the ups and downs of the grieving process, they'll be drawn through the pages by illuminating details of the immigrant experience, . . . . Offering a great deal of nuance within an approachable narrative, this tender novel glows with affection and hope for its grieving family--and with promise for its first-time author. (text refers to hardcover edition)

Jennifer Mattson, Booklist