Rosa, Sola

by Carmela A. Martino

Book Overview

NOTE: this edition includes a "Discussion Questions" section for classroom use.

Rosa Bernardi, an only child living with her Italian immigrant parents in 1960s Chicago, often feels 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 Rosa's prayers for a sibling are...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0692147519
• ISBN13: 9780692147511
• Release Date: July 2018
• Publisher: Arquilla Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

the book reveiw of Rosa, Sola

The book review of Rosa, Sola Rosa prayed rosary every night. The book that I want you to read is called Rosa, Sola. Rosa is jealous because her best friend has a little brother. So Rosa fells really lonely (sola). She is the only child in her family. She prays and prays for a little brother named Joseph. Because people at her school make fun of her. The characters in this book are Rosa, Papa, Ma and Ant Ida. Rosa wants to have a baby brother so she prays and prays for one. Then her mom goes into the hospital to deliver while Ant Ida watches Rosa then her Papa calls and says the baby is there baby is here but.... The theme in this story is very loving. All the characters in the story stick together no matter what happens. Ant Ida is very kind she is like a mom to Rosa. Papa is exactly how a dad should be. Ma is very wiling if Rosa asks to make cookies her mom says get in the car to get the saples.Rosa is verey hopping she prays and prays for some thing she wants. The setting in this story is in a house in no ware land. It is about taken place in 1984. There house was a tan color. They lived in the state California. I hope you get to read my story it is very loving, and emotional.

Easily relatable for all children

Rosa is the daughter of Italian immigrants in 1960s Chicago. This means that many of her classmates have large families, and Rosa loves to play with her best friend AnnaMaria's baby brother. She wonders why she doesn't have any brothers or sisters, and resolves to pray for one. Rosa learns that her mother sustained some injuries when she was born and may not be able to have any more children, but she continues to pray and is thrilled when her mother becomes pregnant. Finally, Rosa feels like she fits in with her friends at school who talk about their siblings. Her Papa is sure it's going to be a boy who will carry on the family name. Her Aunts are happy but seem worried about Rosa's mother. At Christmas, Rosa's Aunt Claudia gets in a huge argument with Rosa's Papa about how the new baby will be left at the family olive grove in Italy when he or she is born; they do not speak for several months. Despite all this, Rosa is very excited about the special arrival and helps her mother get the bassinet ready. When it's time for the baby to come, tragedy strikes, and Rosa is now cared for by Aunt Ida who does not seem to understand her at all. Her Papa comes home tired from the hospital and has little energy to even talk to her. She feels more alone, or sola, than ever before. Rosa begins to learn more about her family history while spending time with relatives and realizes that other people also have been touched by sadness in their lives, which helps comfort her in some ways. Her mother does return to their apartment but is still very sick. Rosa determines that she will win the spelling contest at school this year and cheer her mother up; she wants to help pull the family out of its sadness. Children of both immigrant and non-immigrant parents will be able to relate to the theme of wanting to belong, which is contained in this timeless story. Readers will love Rosa as she tries to be strong in the midst of her family's troubles. --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Rosa, Sola. An Awesome story

I loved Rosa, Sola! The author weaved her story through an amazing journey of laughter, sadness and pure honesty through the eyes of an eight year old. This is one book that I couldn't put down. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. It is a book that not only children would like, but also a book that parents can to read to their children. The author developed her characters to the fullest. It was a fun study too, in basic Italian words. It leaves me waiting to see more of what this author has in store for us.

Rosa & the Rosary

This story covers July 4, 1966 until the summer of 1967. Rosa, going into 4th grade the summer of 1966 longs for a sibling. She lives in a neighborhood where most of her playmates have siblings; her best friend AnnaMaria is the oldest in a family of four. Rosa helps AnnaMaria's mother with baby Antonio, 3-year-old Luisa and 5-year-old Caterina. She envies AnnaMaria and thinks of how lucky she is to have three siblings. She turns to prayer, saying a daily rosary for a sibling. When Rosa's mother announces she is pregnant, nobody could be happier than Rosa. She does everything she can to prepare the hosue for the baby's birth. Her prayers have been answered. Sadly, on May 1, 1967 her brother Joseph arrived stillborn. A pall falls over the entire family; a kind neighbor and other relatives pitch in to try to help Rosa's family move through their great loss. An excellent story about tragedy, bonding and learning to tolerate and understand one another's differences. When Rosa firsts visits the graveyard where her brother is buried, she is dismayed that Joseph has no headstone. It is her aunt and older uncle who, having lived through tragic losses of their own who come through when least expected. I like the way Italian words are included in the book and the rich Italian culture that was part of this story. I also like the way some of the older characters referred to Italy affectionately as "the old country." This is a book that will long remain in the minds of readers, long after they have read the last page.