Kevin Crossley-Holland

Abandoned at the orphanage in Venice as a baby, Laura is mute. Her life is transformed when the composer Vivaldi unlocks her passion for music. The seasons turn, dark turns to light and miracles happen.

Heartsong

Melanie Knight

I love Jane Ray's illustrations and this book has some beautiful pictures of Venice and haunting pictures of the characters, interspersed with patterns such as iron grilles. The story, based on truth, is very touching. Even in such a short tale, I felt that I knew Laura and her companions. This was one of those books that drew me in so that the outside world ceased to exist and I was immersed in the world of this orphanage in 18th century Venice.

Heartsong

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