Take Me With You    by Carolyn Marsden Order:  USA  Can Candlewick, 2010 (2010) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Take Me With You is set in a Catholic orphanage in post-World War II Italy, where two close friends - eleven-year-olds Susanna and Pina - anxiously hope for adoption. Susanna knows she won't be picked - after all, her skin is the color of cappucino. The nuns have told her that her father was an American soldier, a nero. But why is pretty, blond, white-skinned Pina never chosen? Is it because she's always in trouble? Then a letter arrives from Susanna's father, who has just found out that he has a daughter. She learns that her Italian mother died, and eventually meets her dark-skinned Papa, who wants to take her home with him to America to be with the rest of the family. But what will happen to Pina? Susanna helps her friend with various schemes, but finally Pina discovers the truth about her mother. They seek her out together and find a solution to Pina's problem. Take Me With You is a sweet chapter book story (with a happy ending) about the reality of World War II orphans in Italy. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews