Taking Tuscany

Renee Riva
David C. Cook (2009)
ISBN 9781434767776
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (2/09) 

When your name is Angelina Juliana Degulio, it simplifies your life considerably when people simply call you A.J., and that’s the name the wonderfully quirky teenager from Idaho, transplanted to Italy much against her will, goes by. Her life changed dramatically when her whole family packed their bags and moved to a crumbling castle in picturesque, but unfamiliar and not always friendly Tuscany. It’s not easy making friends when one is fourteen, and even less when you’ve just been uprooted and you stick out like “a vanilla wafer among chocolate biscotti,” as A.J. neatly says when describing her situation. What’s more – A.J. had to leave behind her beloved dog, Sailor, and a particularly good friend of hers, Danny. Yes, they write to each other, but will Danny forget her?

Renee Riva’s “Taking Tuscany” is a delightful book. While I’d say that it is geared towards adolescents and very young adults, this not-so-young-in-years adult enjoyed it tremendously. I have to admit I’ve long had a weakness for a well-crafted story, geared towards that particular age group, especially since so few were available when I was growing up. It really pleases me to see the advances in this field. Ms. Riva’s writing sparkles, and while she teaches important lessons, she never sounds preachy. Her slightly quirky sense of humor keeps all matters fresh and her perspective is always unique. I loved the playful way she (and A.J.) crafted new words, with my favorite being ‘flutterby’ for ‘butterfly.’ If that’s not quirky enough, the reader can look forward to crazy stories about A.J.’s Nonna, the concept of ‘nun for a day,’ A.J.’s younger brother Benji’s escapades, the chewing gum incident and more. Not all of the subjects are lighthearted however, and enough morals are interspersed throughout the story to make it serious reading, particularly the parts about making friends, the importance of perspective and the tales of the brave nuns during the Second World War.

Humorous, but not lightweight, “Taking Tuscany” by Renee Riva is a great book for anybody who’s ever had trouble fitting in, particularly children who had to move frequently for whatever reasons. While Ms. Riva’s world is a world where children enjoy the luxury of being children and morals are highly valued, this is by no means a boring read. I am greatly looking forward to the promised sequel, and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that all of A.J.’s dreams come true. This plucky heroine deserves that!

Make comment on weblog