Mila’s Story

Asiago plateau, 1955. Mila is 11 and lives with her grandparents. She has always been a little girl with an indomitable spirit, standing up for all that is good: everyone at school knows her,not only for her bright red plaits, but also for her strength of character and refusal to tolerate any abuse of power. As such, whenever she finds herself face to face with bullies - whether adults or children - she always musters up the courage to protect what she believes in. The much-loved protagonist of Matteo Strukul's "La ballata di Mila" (The Ballad of Mila) returns in a perfect prequel, the first book in the new "Solferino Young" series of illustrated stories for very young readers aged 5 to 8, who are not afraid to step outside of the box, and cultivate a sense of acceptance and respect for the environment. The deep connection between the earth and people adds an additional layer of power to the story, making it suitable for both children and adults, enabling the author to capture and hold the reader's attention. The theme of friendship and the fantastic full-page illustrations by talented artists, dedicated to key episodes of the story, draw the reader in to the tale of the fierce avenger who has won a place in the hearts of many adult readers. La storia di Mila di Matteo Strukul Solferino, 2021