Book Title: A Portrait of Pia
Author Name: Marisabina Russo
Reviewed by TFK Kid Reporter: India Pasiuk
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Number of pages: 240
What's the basic storyline?
Pia, a thirteen year old artist, lives in New York City with her mom, but
she has never met her father. She's happy, but she wishes she could get to know her father. She does know that her father’s name is Paolo Venturini, that he is from Italy, and that he left her and her mother when Pia was a baby. After finding his address in the basement, Pia decides to send a letter to her mysterious Papa. She ends up on a plane to Rome to visit him. But the Papa she imagines doesn't at all describe the reality. While in Florence, she learns her parents' story and why her father left.
Were the characters believable? What made them believable or unbelievable?
The characters are believable because they deal with
real-life situations in a realistic way. I see a lot of myself in Pia. We're both adventurous, sometimes uncertain about our decisions, and we both love Chinese food. I could imagine myself in the story, it is so well written.
Would you recommend this book to kids? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this book to kids. Although it is 369 pages long, it is very hard to put down, and you will wish it never ends. Even for someone who is not usually interested in fantasy, this is a great read.
What's not-so-great about the book?
The only thing that isn't so great about the book is the length. It is
too short! I hope Marisabina Russo writes a sequel soon!
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being best), how would you rate this book? Explain.
I would give this book a 9 because it's a great summer read, lighthearted
and fun, yet full of emotion and conflicts.
