PREORDER An Italian Summer, hardcover (release 5/5/26)
An Italian Summer: The Collector’s Hardcover Edition
The Italian Saga, Volume 2
"The pursuit of happiness shouldn't have a gender."
Puberty is a mess—messier if you’re nonbinary in 1990s Italy. This premium hardcover edition of An Italian Summer captures the humorous yet poignant bittersweet journey of Lee (Leda Balni) in a format designed to last a lifetime on your shelf.
The Story: Italy, 1990. As the nation sweeps into the fever dream of the FIFA World Cup, eleven-year-old Lee feels the world splitting in two. While gaming or playing in the streets, Lee is just one of the guys. But as the physical changes of puberty advance, the world begins to demand a performance of "girlhood" that feels increasingly nonsensical.
Lee has nothing against her anatomy—except that it has become the very thing casting her out from the brotherhood she’s always known. Navigating a landscape of rigid Catholic traditions, religious expectations, and the chaos of a first crush, Lee must fight to find her chosen family in a world that refuses to see her for who she truly is.
Why This Edition Belongs in Your Collection:
- THE DEFINITIVE HARDCOVER: A durable, high-quality format perfect for your personal library or as a meaningful gift.
- A NOSTALGIC JOURNEY: Relive the magic of Italia '90 and the analog summers of the 1990s with vivid, own-voices detail.
- AWARD-WINNING PROSE: Featuring the "astute and affecting" narrative praised by Kirkus Reviews and the 5-Star Ribbon from the Readers' Choice Book Awards.
- AUTHENTIC IDENTITY: A rare, deeply personal look at queer history and Italian culture based on the life of author Gaia B. Amman, Ph.D.
Praise for The Italian Saga:
"An astute... lighthearted but affecting narrative of childhood’s many changes." — Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for fans of:
The atmospheric longing of Call Me By Your Name, the emotional depth of I'll Give You the Sun, and the rebellious heart of Sex Education.
Product Details:
- Format: Hardcover (Case-wrap)
- Series: Volume 2 of The Italian Saga (Can be read after An Italian Adventure or as a standalone)
- Themes: LGBTQ+ Nonfiction, 90s Nostalgia, Nonbinary Identity, Italian Culture.
Experience the magic of Italia '90 in a premium format—order your collector's copy today.