Short Stories in Simple Italian: Le Avventure di Paul a Roma (Graded-Readers in Italian: Learning Vocabulary and Grammar in Context: For Beginners to Intermediate)

by Serena Capilli

Discover Rome Through Italian A Language Learning Adventure in the Eternal City (A1-A2 CEFR Levels)

Transform your Italian learning journey through an enchanting tale of unexpected discovery in Rome's most authentic neighborhoods.

When Paul, a solo traveler from London, discovers a mysterious flier in the vibrant Testaccio district, his ordinary Roman holiday becomes an extraordinary adventure. Experience the real Rome while naturally absorbing Italian language and culture through this captivating story.

Master Italian Naturally

3,000 words of carefully selected vocabulary using the most essential Italian wordsAuthentic dialogues you'll actually use in ItalyReal-life situations set in Rome's most characterful neighborhoodsCultural insights that bring the Eternal City to life
Complete Learning System

Bite-sized chapters perfect for busy adultsComprehensive bilingual word lists for instant vocabulary buildingStrategic quizzes to cement your learningPractical translation exercises from English to ItalianSpeaking prompts to build conversation confidenceExpert tips on avoiding common Italian mistakes
Your Roman Adventure

Insider tips for your next trip to RomeNatural exposure to Italian grammar patternsReal-world conversations in simple Italian
Perfect for Beginners…Unlike traditional textbooks, this story weaves language learning into an engaging adult narrative. Watch your Italian skills grow as you follow Paul's unexpected adventure through Rome's authentic streets and local life.

Created by a seasoned Italian instructor with over a decade of experience teaching adults, this story combines proven language learning methods with an engaging narrative that keeps you turning pages – and improving your Italian with every chapter.

Genres: Italian Literature

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2022

About the author

Serena Capilli is an Italian author and certified language teacher (University of Venice) who has been helping adults learn Italian through comprehensible input since 2016. She writes fiction (garden readers) in simple Italian — and increasingly in Spanish and French — built around comprehensible input, so learners absorb the language naturally through engaging stories instead of grammar drills.
A polyglot who speaks seven languages, Serena is the creator of the Paguro Method and publishes under the Paguro Languages imprint, with more than a dozen titles and over 30,000 copies sold worldwide. Her books range from cozy mysteries to travel-set tales across Italy — Rome, Sicily, Venice, Bologna, and beyond — written for beginner to intermediate readers (A1–B1).
Based in Rome with Sicilian roots, she also hosts the Piazzetta Italiana slow-Italian podcast and runs Italian Pills, a brand and newsletter for English-speaking learners. Find her books and free resources at italianpills.com.

Reviews

[Yasmin]

PRIMEIRO LIVRO EM ITALIANO!!
Muito bom para quem já tem uma base.

[Maria Pisani]

Easy and educational read

As an Canadian of Italian descent, I learned to speak a dialect from a town in southern Italy. So speaking and reading proper Italian, while easier for me than for a non-italian - was always a challenge. I really enjoyed this book. I was able to read and understand 95% of it but also learned the proper way to say and write so many words and terms. Thank you

[Charlotte]

Picked this up to pair with self learning I am doing through Duolingo and some Italian text books.

I really enjoyed the simple stories and the exercises at the end of each chapter. It was fun to stop having to stop to look up every single word/phrase as I built my understanding around tenses and conjugations of irregular verbs. I also appreciated the cultural insights!

[Stephen Barker]

Engaging and educational

I tried and failed to read regular Italian fiction written for madrelingua so I was delighted to discover Serena Capilli’s books. The stories are not going to win any Pulitzer Prizes but I find them all quite engaging and I have finished every one I have bought so far and it has helped my Italian a LOT! I hope Serena Capilli keeps writing.

[Valerie]

good practice for intermediate Italian

I really enjoyed the story and the Italian was at the right level for me. The best thing about this book is that it includes explanations of common phrases, has cultural highlights and little nuggets of information about visiting Roma.

[East West Notes]

I bought this book to read alongside the Italian Duolingo course. I especially enjoyed reading the Italian food and culture notes.

[Bob Willis]

I'm using this to supplement my Duolingo app studying Italian.

[Leonor]

Very good graded reader, I wish it wouldn’t mix different cefr levels but that’s only a detail.

[Sara]

4 stars. Interesting information about different neighborhoods in Rome.

[neti ♡]

Great book for practising reading in beginner Italian. It explains grammar, new words and even cultural things.

[Macarena Danze]

Gran libro para empezar a leer en italiano, me encantó que al final de cada capítulo hable del vocabulario usado y haga los multiple choice. Me encantaría leer más de la autora

[David DiLoreto]

Helpful in progressing beyond Duolingo Italian

Using language apps helps build vocabulary but this series of short stories strengthens reading and writing skills. Well-designed format.

Having to toggle back to the website for the answer keys was a bit annoying but not overly so.