About the Author

Donna Jo Napoli was introduced to Dutton by fellow Philadelphia area resident Lloyd Alexander. Dutton promptly published her first middle grade novel, Soccer Shock, in 1991 to critical and popular acclaim.

In 1993, Napoli's versatility became evident with the publication of The Prince of the Pond (1992) which won the New Jersey Reading Association's M. Jerry Weiss Book Award in 1997 andThe Magic Circle (1993). The former, a light fantasy that revisits the frog prince motif, highlights hertalent for humor. The latter, a young adult novel, also revisits a fairy tale ("Hansel and Gretel," in this case), but there the similarities to her humorous books end. In this dark tale told from the point of view of the witch, Napoli tells a tale of outward corruption and inner purity, filled withspellbinding imagery. School Library Journal said, "The strength of Napoli's writing and the clarity of her vision make this story fresh and absorbing. A brilliantly executed novel that is sure to be appreciated by thoughtful readers."

Perhaps Napoli's versatility can be explained in part by her background in linguistics and poetry. She is currently a professor of linguistics and chair of the linguistics program at Swarthmore College, where she also teaches courses in writing fiction for children. In addition to writing forchildren, she is a published poet and coeditor of four poetry volumes.

Donna Jo Napoli is the author of many books, including Soccer Schock(1991), The Prince of the Pond(1992), The Magic Circle (1993), When Water Closes Over My Head(1994), Shark Shock (1994), Jimmy, The Pickpocket of the Palace -- the highspirited sequel to The Prince of the Pond, The Bravest Thing (1997), On Guard (1997), Changing Tunes (1998), and also the award-winning novel Zel (1996), a Bulletin Blue Ribbon, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and a Publishers Weekly Choice of the Years Best books.Donna Jo Napoli's Stones in Water(1997),is the wrenching novel of a boy caught in a war he hates. It won the Golden Kite Award in 1997.

Donna Jo Napoli lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, with her husband Barry and their five children. She has received three degrees from Harvard University: a B.A. in Mathematics, anM.A. in Italian Literature, and a Ph.D. in General and Romance Linguistics. She has taught on the university level since 1970, is widely published in scholarly journals and has received numerous grants and fellowships in the area of linguistics.

Reviews

?This well-written book grips the reader from the beginning and on through Roberto's adventures.? "?VOYA"

Gr 5-9-Roberto, the protagonist of Stones in Water (Dutton, 1997), continues his struggle to return to Venice following his escape from a forced labor camp in Nazi-controlled Eastern Europe. Three years have passed and, now 15, he is alone again, having lost both his best friend, who was Jewish, and the Roman deserter who nursed him back from a bullet wound. Apprehended by the Germans, Roberto has escaped yet again, finally reaching the southern portion of Italy aboard an American warship. But his trek back home is jeopardized once more when Nazi bombs force him to jump ship. Once on Italian soil, he continues to move north; is captured by a German soldier who uses him as a translator; and eventually encounters a young woman working in the resistance movement. With her encouragement, the teen learns the intricacies of partisan fighting. Not able to stomach any killing by his own hand, he does his part through the clandestine delivery of ammunition and valuable information. Throughout his ordeal, Roberto's humanity and strength of character overshadow the brutality. Napoli extends the reality of his experiences by leaving an open-ended conclusion in which Roberto reaches his beloved Venice unsure, yet hopeful of who and what he will find. Powerful World War II literature.-Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

?This well-written book grips the reader from the beginning and on through Roberto's adventures.? "?VOYA"