This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in
the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters,
regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and
setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a
generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio
recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for
teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details).
Plot Summary for Little Italy: This is the story of the Trella family.
In 1920 Vito's land is worn out, and he can't sell his oranges. Sadly,
he leaves his Italian homeland and sails to New York to get work and
save enough money to bring his wife, Rosetta, and their three children
to America. For more than two years he works as a stonecutter, building
the new skyscrapers of New York. It is dangerous work. Finally, he saves
enough money for four tickets. Rosetta and their children join him. They
make their new life on Mulberry Street in New York's "Little Italy."
Rosetta finds the city dirty and depressing at first, but she learns to
love her Italian neighbors and her church. They have four more children.
Then Vito falls, is injured, and must take a job making paper flowers;
the whole family helps. All seven children finish high school and get
good jobs. Vito and Rosetta stay in Little Italy. The novel ends as
their youngest child, Dominick, graduates from high school with honors.
