Are We There Yet?  •  David Levithan LITERATURE •  2007 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS Levithan makes the most of an excellent setup in this novel which places two brothers, 16 and 23, on vacation with their parents in Venice, Florence and Rome. Told in alternating chapters, the novel shows the changing relationship between the two very different youths, one which is complicated when both brothers fall for the same girl. Geared for young adults. (ITL611, $8.99)
Berlitz Kids Italian Language Pack  •  Berlitz Multimedia LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2003 •  PAPER • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) This Italian language set, all packed in a red-handled box, includes a 64-page storybook, flashcards, a 200-word picture dictionary, audio CD, parent's guide and certificate. For kids ages 4 to 8. (ITL270, $26.95)
Cathedral, The Story of its Construction  •  David MacAulay ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1973 •  HARD COVER  • 77 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) In this illuminating book for young readers, master draughtsman MacAulay presents text and innovative drawings that detail the planning and construction of a 13th-century Gothic cathedral. It's a masterpiece. (EUR24, $18.00)
Dante's Daughter  •  Kimberley Heuston LITERATURE •  2003 •  HARD COVER  • 302 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A historical novel for young adults richly set in the poet's 14th-century Florence. (ITL708, $16.95)
The Diary of Melanie Martin: Or How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo, and the Leaning Tower of Pizza  •  Carol Weston LITERATURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 144 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Ten-year-old Melanie tells all about her family's summer trip to Italy, writing it all down in her dear diary, A hit on the middle-school market, it packs in a lot of cultural information while being very of-the-moment. Ages 8-10. (ITL438, $5.50)
Italy, the People  •  Greg Nickles CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2001 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A vibrant and informative cultural portrait of the Italian people, both northern and southern, well illustrated with color photographs and filled with interesting facts and information. A wonderful introduction to the country for middle schoolers and the entire family. (ITL335, $7.95)
Kids Italian Picture Dictionary  •  Inc. Berlitz International LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2004 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) 1,000 words central to a child's everyday life -- animals, flowers, people, colors, numbers and activities -- teach even the youngest readers Italian. Each word is illustrated and accompanied by a phonetic transcription and phrase. (ITL449, $12.95)
Learn Italian Together  •  Living Language LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2006 •  BOXED • FAMILY These multimedia boxed sets feature CDs, games, stickers and adorable illustrations to help kids and parents pick up a new language together. (ITL761, $22.95)
Leonardo Da Vinci  •  Kathleen Krull BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 124 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An illuminating biography in the Giants of Science series, geared for grades 4-8. (ITL705, $15.99)
Leonardo's Horse  •  Hudson Talbott  •  Jean Fritz BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 40 PAGES • FAMILY Crackerjack children's writer Jean Fritz here presents an intriguing dual biography: first, of Leonardo da Vinci, who labored for years on a giant bronze sculpture of a horse, never finished; and secondly, of Charlie Dent, an American who in 1977 vowed to complete what Leonardo began. Dent, too, died without seeing the horse finished, but his wishes were honored and the giant horse became a gift to Italy from the United States. Today it's on display in Milan. The book is illustrated, handsome and appropriate for a wide range of readers, from 7-year-olds to adults. (ITL344, $18.99)
Leonardo, Beautiful Dreamer  •  Robert Byrd BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2003 •  HARD COVER  • 40 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An oversize, beautifully illustrated introduction to the life, work and ideas of Leonardo, organized thematically with text, brilliantly colored paintings , sidebars and other gems. Aimed at 7-10 year olds, the book will appeal to the whole family. (ITL487, $17.99)
Starry Messenger, Galileo Galilei  •  Peter Sis BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2000 •  PAPER  • 40 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A beautifully illustrated homage to Galileo for children ages 6 to 8. In simple prose, Sis chronicles Galileo's life and evokes the Renaissance world. It's a memorable introduction to science and Italy for young readers. A Cadecott Honor Book and winner of the Scientific American Young Readers Book Award. (ITL331, $6.95)