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)
Daughter of Venice  •  Donna Jo Napoli LITERATURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 274 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A young adult novel about a high-spirited, determined teenage girl in 16th-century Venice. Prevented by Venetian custom from walking about her own native city, Donata dresses herself as a boy and sets out to see the sights. Lots of period detail. Geared for ages 9-12. (ITL343, $6.50)
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)
Eyewitness: Ancient Rome  •  Simon James  •  Nick Nichols HISTORY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 72 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A visually rich survey of ancient Rome, this book in the excellent Eyewitness series explores daily life and history in Rome and the outlying empire. It covers the caesars, warfare, politics and myth. Geared for kids ages 9-12. (ITL337, $15.99)
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)
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)
The Roman News  •  Philip Steele  •  Andrew Langley HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) "Caesar Stabbed!" reads the headline on the front page of this fictitious, Daily News-style tabloid. This volume collects the best journalism (and cartoons) of an imaginary ancient Roman newspaper, spanning the years 753 B.C. to 476 A.D. and reporting on all the major events of the Roman era, right up to the sack of the city by northern invaders. It's a fun approach to Roman history for readers ages 10 to 14. (ITL339, $6.99)
Rome, In Spectacular Cross-Section  •  Andrew Solway  •  Stephen Biesty HISTORY •  2003 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) One in a series of books featuring the wonderfully detailed drawings by cutaway master Stephen Biesty, this one conveying daily life in ancient Rome. The story follows the adventures of a young Boy, Titus Cotta Maximus, on his travels through the city. Geared for ages 9-12, the whole family will appreciate the vivid double-page panormas. (ITL538, $18.95)
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)
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Roman Gladiator!  •  John Malam  •  David Antram HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) One in a clever educational series, this book discloses the gory details of life in the Roman arena. Light-hearted and crammed with facts -- as well as amusing illustrations -- this is a good choice for readers ages 8 to 10. (ITL340, $9.95)