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Before Nightfall
A moving tale about a brave hearing and eyesight-impaired teen, told through the perspective of his loving sister in poetry, prose, and the sign-language alphabet.Carlo is a teenager who happens to be hearing-impaired and can see only out of one eye. Now that eye is failing, and Carlo must have an operation to try to save his vision. His fierce and funny sister Emma, Carlo’s closest companion, begins writing poems that express the fear she works hard to hide, while his seeing-eye dog Lulù remains steadfastly at his side. But even with the support and affection of his family, how can Carlo face such uncertainty? And what will happen if he can no longer communicate with them? Before Nightfall is a book about trust, imagination, empathy, and language, narrated through the poems Emma types and through prose passages told from multiple perspectives and illustrated with the ASL alphabet, drawn by the Italian artist Sualzo. Despite the immense challenges Carlo and Emma face, their story is one of hope and wonder.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2024
1 person is currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 1, 2022
La delicatezza della poesia della Vecchini è insuperabile. Mi ha emozionato tantissimo, e in poco spazio cartaceo ha condensato , senza sacrificare, l'esperienza di una famiglia alle prese con una sordità (e relative complicazioni). Le scelte grafiche supportano perfettamente i contenuti. In punta di piedi su un mondo complessissimo.
Destinatari suggeriti: tutti, ragazzi e adulti.
Destinatari suggeriti: tutti, ragazzi e adulti.
September 19, 2022
Come mai l’autrice rende il fidanzatino di Emma un personaggio positivo? Il fatto che si vergogni di lei è una cosa orribile. Una persona che si scusa è meglio di una che non lo fa: siamo tutti d’accordo; però io eviterei di dare il messaggio che uno possa fare una qualsiasi cosa schifosa e poi cavarsela con dei bei “mi dispiace tanto”
November 6, 2024
Una storia raccontata tramite le poesie. Testo originale per i piccoli e i grandi
October 2, 2021
Divorato due volte di fila in un pomeriggio.
Credo che in nessun altro modo Silvia Vecchini potesse raccontare una storia così potente e così innocente, se non alternando prosa e poesia.
Non lasciatevi ingannare dalla brevità del racconto, perché le pagine raggiungono profondità molto vaste.
La raccolta dei componimenti poetici sono il punto di vista di Emma, la protagonista, che, attraverso la battitura delle liriche con una macchina da scrivere, racconta il rapporto con il fratello sordocieco, la vita di una famiglia con una persona disabile e la scoperta dell'amore.
I brevissimi racconti in prosa sono i pensieri e le parole dei personaggi che Emma e la sua famiglia incontrano, incrociano, vivono e sfiorano.
Un testo con una trama breve e lineare, ma con un ordito così ricco che vi farà sprofondare in una lettura coinvolgente e "sensoriale".
Non appena lo terminerete, vorrete rileggerlo subito perché vi chiederete: "Come mai è già finito?".
Da regalare a fratelli o sorelle, sia di sangue che per scelta. Da leggere con i vostri figli pre-adoleacenti. Da far leggere ai vostri genitori.
Credo che in nessun altro modo Silvia Vecchini potesse raccontare una storia così potente e così innocente, se non alternando prosa e poesia.
Non lasciatevi ingannare dalla brevità del racconto, perché le pagine raggiungono profondità molto vaste.
La raccolta dei componimenti poetici sono il punto di vista di Emma, la protagonista, che, attraverso la battitura delle liriche con una macchina da scrivere, racconta il rapporto con il fratello sordocieco, la vita di una famiglia con una persona disabile e la scoperta dell'amore.
I brevissimi racconti in prosa sono i pensieri e le parole dei personaggi che Emma e la sua famiglia incontrano, incrociano, vivono e sfiorano.
Un testo con una trama breve e lineare, ma con un ordito così ricco che vi farà sprofondare in una lettura coinvolgente e "sensoriale".
Non appena lo terminerete, vorrete rileggerlo subito perché vi chiederete: "Come mai è già finito?".
Da regalare a fratelli o sorelle, sia di sangue che per scelta. Da leggere con i vostri figli pre-adoleacenti. Da far leggere ai vostri genitori.
July 22, 2024
Emma loves her big brother Carlo fiercely, spending much of her time with him. Born deaf and blind in one eye, Carlo still attends school with a sharp mind, wanting to experience the world like any child.
But when their family receives news from the school directors that they cannot cater to Carlo's needs any longer, his parents and sister are devastated for him. The solution is home schooling which gives Carlo further opportunities to learn.
Another blow comes as Carlo's limited eyesight is fading. His one eye that sees a little of his family, needs an operation. Will it work or will he be completely cut off from everything?
Emma shares her thoughts and worries in poems as her family support Carlo in his fight to stay connected to family and the outside world.
Penned after meeting siblings just like Emma and Carlo, this verse novel tells a story of love, compassion, growing up and hope.
Something different between the verse are different points of view from people in Carlo's life. A school official, a sibling, a school friend and a local shopkeeper. A nurse and then Carlo himself, whose POV is portrayed in white text on black pages, signifying the darkness around him as he waits to see if his limited sight is restored.
This change in book design is powerful and really brought it home to me how we take our senses of hearing and sight for granted.
Both Emma and Carlo are courageous characters with family at the very top of important things in their lives.
Emma has her own part of the story as she gets to know a boy from school. He seems kind and is a friend to Carlo too - at least until their friendship is tested.
Completing this short but powerful story are the Italian and US sign language alphabets.
Age - 11+
But when their family receives news from the school directors that they cannot cater to Carlo's needs any longer, his parents and sister are devastated for him. The solution is home schooling which gives Carlo further opportunities to learn.
Another blow comes as Carlo's limited eyesight is fading. His one eye that sees a little of his family, needs an operation. Will it work or will he be completely cut off from everything?
Emma shares her thoughts and worries in poems as her family support Carlo in his fight to stay connected to family and the outside world.
Penned after meeting siblings just like Emma and Carlo, this verse novel tells a story of love, compassion, growing up and hope.
Something different between the verse are different points of view from people in Carlo's life. A school official, a sibling, a school friend and a local shopkeeper. A nurse and then Carlo himself, whose POV is portrayed in white text on black pages, signifying the darkness around him as he waits to see if his limited sight is restored.
This change in book design is powerful and really brought it home to me how we take our senses of hearing and sight for granted.
Both Emma and Carlo are courageous characters with family at the very top of important things in their lives.
Emma has her own part of the story as she gets to know a boy from school. He seems kind and is a friend to Carlo too - at least until their friendship is tested.
Completing this short but powerful story are the Italian and US sign language alphabets.
Age - 11+
April 16, 2024
First sentence: The sea is all light.
Premise/plot: Emma loves, loves, loves her brother, Carlo, who is hearing and vision impaired. The two communicate through sign language [though not American sign language]. His one 'good' eye is failing and he will soon undergo a surgery with a chance to save what remains of his vision. The book follows their uncertain yet hopeful story as it unfolds. Emma has met a boy--whose name I can't recall and who isn't 'important' enough to get a mention in any blurb--and he also befriends the family. The story is told in a blend of poetry and prose.
My thoughts: Middle grade realistic fiction. This one is in some ways difficult emotionally because of the content. Yet to avoid it strictly because it might be hard, uncomfortable, or sad doesn't seem fair. (Especially if you're an adult.) Some young readers DO seek out stories that are bittersweet or with the potential for sadness. Life can be unfair, a bit unjust. Real life does not promise tidy tied in a bow happy endings. The love Emma has for her family is so strong and it was lovely to spend time with her.
Premise/plot: Emma loves, loves, loves her brother, Carlo, who is hearing and vision impaired. The two communicate through sign language [though not American sign language]. His one 'good' eye is failing and he will soon undergo a surgery with a chance to save what remains of his vision. The book follows their uncertain yet hopeful story as it unfolds. Emma has met a boy--whose name I can't recall and who isn't 'important' enough to get a mention in any blurb--and he also befriends the family. The story is told in a blend of poetry and prose.
My thoughts: Middle grade realistic fiction. This one is in some ways difficult emotionally because of the content. Yet to avoid it strictly because it might be hard, uncomfortable, or sad doesn't seem fair. (Especially if you're an adult.) Some young readers DO seek out stories that are bittersweet or with the potential for sadness. Life can be unfair, a bit unjust. Real life does not promise tidy tied in a bow happy endings. The love Emma has for her family is so strong and it was lovely to spend time with her.
August 24, 2024
A fabulous little snip of a book. Found accidentally at Gleebooks in Blackheath, and read on a whim on evening whilst nursing a sick dog, and doing badly on my #WITMonth plans.
A beautiful and poetic verse novel (for children?) translated from Italian. Based on a real brother and sister, Emma and Carlo. Carlo is deaf, and uses sign language. He is also blind in one eye, and has a guide dog called Lulu. There is a clever structure, Emma writes poems. Then there is a prose perspective from multiple other people. The design of white and black pages is genius.
I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this book.
A beautiful and poetic verse novel (for children?) translated from Italian. Based on a real brother and sister, Emma and Carlo. Carlo is deaf, and uses sign language. He is also blind in one eye, and has a guide dog called Lulu. There is a clever structure, Emma writes poems. Then there is a prose perspective from multiple other people. The design of white and black pages is genius.
I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this book.
November 3, 2025
Tra poesia e prosa, questo libro è una carezza.
La storia di una bambina e del suo fratellino sordo e che vede da un solo occhio, raccontata con sguardi spesso distanti (di passanti, amici di famiglia...) e altre volte vicinissimi, viscerali, direttamente dal cuore della bambina (e qui la poesia splende!).
Non c'è mai retorica, non c'è mai abilismo. C'è solo una mano che - anche col linguaggio dei segni - ci guida a osservare, ascoltare e toccare con mano le paure, le ansie e le gioie della piccola protagonista e del suo amore per la vita.
La storia di una bambina e del suo fratellino sordo e che vede da un solo occhio, raccontata con sguardi spesso distanti (di passanti, amici di famiglia...) e altre volte vicinissimi, viscerali, direttamente dal cuore della bambina (e qui la poesia splende!).
Non c'è mai retorica, non c'è mai abilismo. C'è solo una mano che - anche col linguaggio dei segni - ci guida a osservare, ascoltare e toccare con mano le paure, le ansie e le gioie della piccola protagonista e del suo amore per la vita.
April 15, 2024
Carlo has a lot of health challenges. He has been in and out of hospitals all his life. He is non-hearing, with vision in only one eye, but now that vision is fading. His sister Emily is his constant companion and fiercest friend. She is terrified of what will happen when Carlo loses his last link to see the world around him. Told in free-verse and sign language, the story is heart-felt and moving.
May 26, 2024
Delicato, penetrante, mi ha colpita davvero. è stupefacente come la storia si dipani, immagini e personaggi prendano vita anche attraverso la sintesi massima che è la poesia, capace di mostrare l'essenziale e di lasciare tutto il resto alle emozioni.
November 7, 2021
Bellissimo! Sicuramente fuori dagli schemi. Una lettura da approfondire. Splendida voce della sorella di Carlo.
March 17, 2025
Bellissimo
May 28, 2025
È stata una lettura molto piacevole e rapida, consigliatissimo!
May 31, 2025
ho pianto, stra bello
June 14, 2025
Lacrime Lacrime, il cambio del colore della pagine per la sezione centrale ha reso la lettura di quella parte ancora più straziante.
Libro per bambini o meno bellissima storia
Libro per bambini o meno bellissima storia
July 8, 2025
stupendo
September 18, 2025
I read a lot of books about deafness in my studies but this one is my favorite
December 6, 2022
bello per 8/9 anni
October 2, 2023
Fantastico. Bellissimo
August 9, 2022
Storia raccontata in modo delicato ma senza nascondere la realtà delle cose. Ho apprezzato la forma mista tra narrativa e poesia che aiuta a entrare nel punto di vista dei due ragazzini protagonisti. Mi porto dietro un senso di dolcezza unito ad uno di sgomento: quest’ultimo arriva non appena indosso i panni dell’immedesimazione…
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews