Donna Jo Napoli

In 1892, Dom, a nine-year old stowaway from Naples, Italy, arrives in New York and must learn to survive the perils of street life in the big city.

The King of Mulberry Street

Jeni Enjaian

This was my favorite Napoli book, hands down. I loved the fact that she built on her own history and expanded it with appropriate historical license. The narrator's voice and perspective seemed appropriate for his age and situation. It also, in my opinion, is a relatively unique perspective through a compelling, well-written narrative. The ending felt just a bit rushed though. Now that I think about it...many of Napoli's books end with just such a rushed feeling. It leaves the idea that all the strings weren't tied up even though they may have been.