The True Adventures of Nicolò Zen

Gr 8 Up—Fourteen-year-old orphan Nicolò Zen's most prized possession is an ivory clarinet, a new instrument in the early 18th century. However, this clarinet is even more unusual because he believes it's enchanted; the first person to play it becomes a virtuoso. Nicolò's desperation and his love of music lead him to the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, a girls' orphanage which is the home of a renowned orchestra led by Antonio Vivaldi. Nicolò disguises himself as a girl in order to become a member of the orchestra. However, life in the orphanage proves to be dangerous, as there are unscrupulous people there who exploit and even abduct some of the orphans. When Adriana, the girl he loves, is endangered, Nicolò has to abandon his disguise. Forced to flee, he then goes on to have numerous adventures, including an encounter with Massimo the Magnificent, the magician who placed the spell on the clarinet. Nicolò eventually finds his happy ending. This lush tale of music, magic, and intrigue contains numerous detailed descriptions of everyday life and music in 18th-century Venice, which balance the more fantastical elements. The complex plot and language could mean that this title will not have broad teen appeal, but it would be a good choice for those looking for a lush, challenging read.—Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ