The Smile

Donna Jo Napoli has written several novels for young adults involving Italian history, from the Renaissance to the World War II era. History wasn’t her favorite subject when she was young, but in writing stories based on historical events, Ms. Napoli has become fascinated by the people of many different times and places. Learning more about the past reveals that history has surprising bearing on the present. In the artistic and political world of Medici Florence, the author sees many similarities to our world today.

Ms. Napoli lives with her husband in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, where she is a college professor. She has written nearly sixty books for young readers, including STONES IN WATER, FIRE IN THE HILLS, THREE DAYS, THE MAGIC CIRCLE and THE PRINCE OF THE POND.