Fire in the Hills

Beneath the haunting shadows of war-torn Italy, a courageous young boy fights for freedom, family, and the power to rewrite his destiny.

“This well-written book grips the reader from the beginning and on through Roberto’s adventure.”—VOYA

It’s been two years since German soldiers kidnapped Roberto from his home in Venice and forced him to work in a labor camp in eastern Europe. He’s escaped and finally made his way back to Italy; but he’s not quite home yet. Roberto must navigate his way through intense battles and avoid the Nazis and Fascist Italian collaborators who would throw him back into a labor camp—or kill him.

Roberto is desperate to get home, to his family and to the safety of the life he left behind. But how can he turn his back on the war while so many people are suffering? With the help of a woman who calls herself Volpe Rossa—Red Fox—Roberto joins the resistance movement. Together, they smuggle guns and secret information to the rebel fighters. Every mission takes Roberto closer to Venice—closer to safety—but every mission is even more dangerous than the last. Will Roberto survive and make his way home?