It?s been two years since fifteen-year-old Roberto was kidnapped and forced to work in a German labor camp. After finally escaping, he?s made his way back to Italy. Roberto is desperate to return to the safety of his family, but how can he turn his back on the war while so many people are suffering? Roberto joins the resistance movement, and smuggles guns and secret information to rebel fighters. Every mission takes him closer to home, but every mission is even more dangerous than the last. Will Roberto survive and make his way home?
Fire in the Hills
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From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9–Roberto, the protagonist of Stones in Water (Dutton, 1997), continues his struggle to return to Venice following his escape from a forced labor camp in Nazi-controlled Eastern Europe. Three years have passed and, now 15, he is alone again, having lost both his best friend, who was Jewish, and the Roman deserter who nursed him back from a bullet wound. Apprehended by the Germans, Roberto has escaped yet again, finally reaching the southern portion of Italy aboard an American warship. But his trek back home is jeopardized once more when Nazi bombs force him to jump ship. Once on Italian soil, he continues to move north; is captured by a German soldier who uses him as a translator; and eventually encounters a young woman working in the resistance movement. With her encouragement, the teen learns the intricacies of partisan fighting. Not able to stomach any killing by his own hand, he does his part through the clandestine delivery of ammunition and valuable information. Throughout his ordeal, Robertos humanity and strength of character overshadow the brutality. Napoli extends the reality of his experiences by leaving an open-ended conclusion in which Roberto reaches his beloved Venice unsure, yet hopeful of who and what he will find. Powerful World War II literature.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Part violent war story, part survival adventure, this gripping sequel picks up where Stones in Water (1997) left off. Roberto, 14, has escaped the Nazi prison camp and is desperate to get home to Venice. First he is forced to serve as translator for a German officer. Then he meets beautiful Volpe Rossa, who persuades him to join the Italian resistance to fight the Nazis. A map and a time line would have helped set the background here, as most readers won't be familiar with the turbulent history and the roles of Mussolini, the Allies, and the many civilians caught up in the struggle. But the confusion is part of the story, as friends and enemies on all sides confront each other in cities reduced to mud and ashes, and betrayal, brutality, and heroism are everywhere. Based on real events, this novel will draw World War II history fans with its focus on the brave young partisans who deliver arms and medicines, help prisoners escape, and pass messages about enemy troops and plans. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unforgettable
Sep 13 2006
By powerfulpaula
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This is among the finest books I have ever read. It starts out a bit slowly with Roberto's escape from the Germans to his homeland of Italy. One frustration follows another until he is swept into the Italian resistance by Volpe Rossa, a young, beautiful, intensely devoted partigiani fighter. Like Roberto we cannot help but fall in love with her as we gasp at her daring. Roberto, Volpe Rossa and others gather and distribute weapons throughout the countryside, penetrating German operations without a care for themselves. Roberto has to reach deep within and stretch way beyond himself to keep up with Volpe Rossa's determination and his own growing sense of justice.
Donna Jo Napoli based many of the events upon stories she heard from friends who had taken part in the Italian resistance. By the end of the German occupation it seemed like almost every Italian had joined the partigianis, and that they ,rather than the allies, had ended the war in Italy. This is a book about thousands of heroes that most of us have never thought about. Roberto and Volpe Rossa are unforgettable characters. I can't believe they are not real. I hope you allow yourself the opportunity to meet them. As a children's librarian I would recommend this book to mature 7th graders and up. It contains some very harsh realities, much sadness, and a sense of triumph that transcends it all.
Donna Jo Napoli based many of the events upon stories she heard from friends who had taken part in the Italian resistance. By the end of the German occupation it seemed like almost every Italian had joined the partigianis, and that they ,rather than the allies, had ended the war in Italy. This is a book about thousands of heroes that most of us have never thought about. Roberto and Volpe Rossa are unforgettable characters. I can't believe they are not real. I hope you allow yourself the opportunity to meet them. As a children's librarian I would recommend this book to mature 7th graders and up. It contains some very harsh realities, much sadness, and a sense of triumph that transcends it all.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fire in the Hills
Oct 12 2006
By Jewish Book World Magazine
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Donna Jo Napoli has written an unforgettable sequel to her excellent World War II-themed young adult novel, Stones in Water (Dutton, 1997). Roberto, a young Italian boy, continues his dangerous journey home to Venice after his harrowing escape from a forced labor camp in Germany. His Jewish friend Samuele has not survived. After many hazards, he finally reaches Italy, but it is not his Italy. It is a dangerous Italy, populated by Nazis. Although the Allies are forcing the Nazi occupiers north, battles rage in cities and in the countryside. Roberto, who speaks English, a fact that saves his life, is taken as an interpreter by Kurt, a Nazi officer, and forced to interpret Kurt's commands as he searches out Italian "ragamuffins," who are really resistance fighters. At last Roberto escapes and joins the resistance himself, when he meets some unforgettable brave young people, especially the girl whose partisan name is "Volpe Rossa." Based on some of Napoli's friends' wartime experiences, she wanted American readers to learn about the Italian partigiani fighters, whose stories are not often told for young adults. Ages 11 and up. Reviewed by Marcia Posner
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fire in the Hills
Mar 30 2013
By Lizzy Palmquist
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fire in the Hills is about a boy named Roberto who struggles to get home to his family safely in the middle of WWII. This book is highly informational and an amazing read. I would recommend this book to people who are of the age of 12 and up.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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