Daughter of Venice

Review By Nathan:

This book tells the story of Donata, a daughter of a nobleman in Venice.  She is hidden from the outside world going veiled through the canals on gondolas and not being able to see the true Venice.  One day after seeing a map of Venice, she decides to try to see the real Venice.  She later sneaks out multiple times disguised as a boy.  After a turn of events, she is told she will marry. But her parents confuse her abilities for those of her identical twin sister, Laura,  and only one of them will be able to marry!  She sets out on a daring plan to let her sister marry but if Donata succeeds, she will be sent to a convent like almost every other unmarried noble girl in Venice-and she is not sure she can stand that.

When Donata sneaks out she not only sees the best of Venice but the worst of Venice.  This includes run ins with bullies and a couple mentions of the prostitution that plagued Venice.  She also develops a crush on a Jewish printer coworker.

Age Range:  11/12+   Book Category:Historical Fiction