"Heart: A Schoolboy's Journal" is a captivating and heart-wrenching novel that follows the journey of a young boy named Enrico as he navigates the ups and downs of school life in 19th century Italy. Through a series of diary entries, the reader is given a glimpse into the inner thoughts and feelings of the protagonist as he experiences the joys of friendship, the pain of loss, and the lessons learned from his teachers and classmates.

De Amicis does a masterful job of capturing the innocence and curiosity of youth, while also addressing darker themes such as poverty, bullying, and social inequality. Enrico's relationships with his friends and family are beautifully depicted, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.

The writing is rich and evocative, pulling the reader into Enrico's world and keeping them invested in his journey from beginning to end. "Heart: A Schoolboy's Journal" is a timeless classic that explores universal themes of love, loyalty, and the pursuit of knowledge. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates coming-of-age stories with heart and soul.

Book Description:
Little Enrico Bottini is a ten year-old third grade student in Italy who keeps a diary for one whole school year. It records the general problems, excitements, and successes any third grader might deal with, all explained from Enrico's point of view. Through the course of this one year, we watch Enrico learn and grow a little, and hopefully we can learn from his experiences, too.

Edmondo de Amici's 1886 book Cuore was an immediate huge success when it was published, and while school rooms have changed dramatically in the century and a half since the book was first published within Italy and elsewhere, the attraction of this book has hardly diminished, and it is still immensely popular. - Summary by Carolin