The Italian Saga

A 2026 International Book Awards Finalist
Readers' Choice Book Award 5-star Ribbon Winner
Kirkus Reviews Recommended "Astute and affecting..."

ITALY, 1987. ONE DISCOVERY. TWO OUTCASTS. THE SUMMER THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING.

Lee is a devout eight-year-old tomboy whose carefully ordered world is shaken on the eve of her First Confession. When her nemesis, Nico—a Sicilian transplant as aggressive as he is lost—uncovers an abandoned adult magazine, it triggers a firestorm of shame and questions about an identity Lee doesn't yet have a name for.

Bound by secrets in a rigid society, these two outcasts must find the courage to exist beyond expectations. This poignant "Own Voices" journey is a nonbinary Anne of Green Gables set against the vibrant, complicated backdrop of 1980s Italy.

THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE:
• Narrated by the Author: Experience The Italian Saga exactly as it was intended. Gaia B. Amman brings Lee’s world to life with an authentic Italian cadence, capturing the nuance of the setting, the humor of childhood, and the emotional depth of a nonbinary awakening.
• Immersive Atmosphere: The narration transports listeners to the dusty streets and sun-drenched squares of a small Italian town during a pivotal summer in 1987.
• Character-Driven Performance: Hear the distinct voices of a colorful cast of characters, from the sharp-tongued Sicilian Nico to the rigid figures of the local community.

WHY RETAILERS & LIBRARIANS SHOULD LISTEN:
• #OwnVoices Brilliance: A rare and necessary look at nonbinary identity in a historical European context.
• Series Potential: This is the first of an already-completed eight-volume saga, ensuring a loyal following for future audio releases.
• Perfect for Fans of: The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Call Me By Your Name, and literary coming-of-age memoirs.

COME TO ITALY. LISTEN NOW