Carmela A. Martino, Children's Book Author

Rosa, Sola
Candlewick Press, September 2005.

Rosa Bernardi, an only child living with her Italian immigrant parents in 1960s Chicago, often feels different and 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 Ma does get pregnant, Rosa is overjoyed—until the horrible day when she comes home from school to find Aunt Ida, her bossy godmother, waiting with bad news. Rosa is devastated, and Aunt Ida is no comfort. With Ma in the hospital and Papa spending most of his time there too, Rosa feels lonelier than ever. She begins to wonder, will her broken family ever be whole again? Or will she be left truly sola?

To read an excerpt from the novel, click here.

For a list of discussion questions, click here.

Children's Reading Lists
For lists of recommended reading for children and teens, including books and websites dealing specifically with grief and loss, click here.