Hi, Miss Julie

Anna Maria’s Gift by Jamie Shefelman, illustrated by Robert Papp.

Summary from the book:

In 1715 Italy, nine-year-old Anna Maria Lombardini arrives at a Venice orphanage with little but a special violin her father made for her, but when her teacher, Antonio Vivaldi, favors her over a fellow student, the beloved instrument winds up in a canal. Includes glossary and historical note.

This book was okay. Serviceable might be the appropriate word. I would suggest that it be used in a music or history class as supporting material, but I don’t think it is likely to be a book that a kid would pick up by choice for a leisurely read. It could probably find an audience with fans of the American Girl books as well.

Reviewed from a library copy.