Red Sails to Capri

Mamma Mia! This book was splendido!

Loosely based on a true story, Red Sails to Capri tells of a young boy, Michele, who meets three visitors to the island. The three men stay at Michelle’s family’s inn. Fascinated by a cove that the locals fear, the men embark on a mission to solve the mystery of the cove.

But before I gush about this book, I must offer two warnings. 

First, don’t jump on Google and research the history of Capri or the true story about this book. Let the surprise come to you as you read so that you can solve the mystery with the characters as they experience it. 

Second, don’t be deterred by the slow start as you sink into the culture of Capri and begin to live it. Trust the story will build until everyone is begging for one more page. The slow beginning gives you time to feel the culture and get to know the characters – each who stands out with amazing differences. A trick I used sometimes was to read the chapter ahead of time to see if I wanted to skip certain paragraphs just to get the story moving a bit faster. 

“People are afraid of anything they don’t understand. When they understand, when they know the truth, they can do something about it.” —Herre Nordstrom

Woven into the mystery and adventure of this historical novel are some amazing discussions you can venture into with your children.

• What would you do if everyone you know tells you not to do something but you want to do it? 
• How do you decide between obeying and exploring? 
• How should you treat strangers? How should you treat family? 

And the biggest question that came out of the book which was discussed over and over again: 

When can WE go to Capri? 

Although the book had a lot of dialogue, even my 5-year-old was fascinated by the mystery.

The last chapter had my 5-year-old and 8-year-old leaning in closer to hear every word, intent on finding out the mystery. 

When we finished the book, we spent time at the computer looking at the answer of the mystery, exploring the lives of the real men who solved this mystery, and looking at endless pictures of Capri. 

When friends and family visited, the girls had to share the adventure. They gathered the map of Italy with Capri circled and the book.

“It is SO good! You have to read it!” 

The characters of the book become so real you feel like you could touch them.

Woven throughout the book are fascinating people from the main character, his friends, the visitors who are from France, England, and Germany. Every person is unique and real.

“His mother lived with the constant fear that everyone around her was going to starve to death, and her whole life was spent in trying to avoid that great tragedy.”

Each character comes to life as they interact with the other. They become as real as a best friend with little quirks and habits that make you love them. 

There are a few resources that you should look into if I have tempted you to try this book.

While this book will hold anyone’s attention with the suspense of what they find, some people, especially young kids, have problems just sitting still and listening. 

Turn the reading time into fun with these resources. They become memories as time passes. My daughter picked up a presentation she put together during one of the books two years later and could still remember the plot and people of the book due to her work. 

Resource #1: Create a Lapbook

If you are not familiar with lapbooks, welcome to a very fun world! Basically a lapbook is a file folder, refolded with pockets and places to put various information. For examples, check out Confessions of a Homeschooler for pictures and more.  

If this is the first time you have seen lapbooks, don’t become overwhelmed. Just do some simple things and have fun creating something unique. If you don’t want to do a lapbook, an alternative is to create a book report with a presentation folder. 

Either way, allow creative cutting with scissors, coloring, and any creative expression. Have them printed, give them one a day, and glue into the lapbook. Let them cut and place as they like.

Ideas to put in the lapbook or on the pages of the presentation folder:

• Map of Capri
• Map of Capri and Italy 
• A picture to color of a sailboat
• A page with new vocabulary listed with the definition and usage in a sentence 
• Character Summaries – at least 3 from different countries. They could draw the character, draw the flag of their country, and add details of each person. 
• A page or two of the discovery at the book of the book
• Depending on the level of your students, write a summary of the book, a book description, or tell someone why they should read it. 
• Have them explain in their own words what these two quotes mean.

“Most of the monsters men fear are in their minds. They would vanish like smoke if we would only let them.” Herre Nordstrom

Resource #2: Discussion Questions 

• What would you do if everyone you know tells you not to do something but you want to do it? 
• How do you decide between obeying and exploring? 
• How do you decide if something is dangerous? What tells you when to stop? 
• How should you treat strangers? 
• Should you risk making other people angry to tell the truth? 
• What secrets should you tell and what secrets should you not tell? 
• What are you afraid of? Do you know a lot about it? 
• How many things are you scared of that aren’t real? For example, monsters under your bed. 
• As always, allow questions to come up. If a sentence, or a decision a character makes, has you thinking you should discuss it, stop and ask their opinion. “Was this person right or wrong in this situation? Why do you think that?”

Resource #3: Recipes and More

Once Upon a Homeschooler for an amazing gathering of different resources for each chapter, including pronunciation guides and fun recipes! 

Finish with an Italian feast and foods that you would eat if you visited Italy. Spaghetti, lasagna, olives, tomatoes, and yes, soft-boiled eggs. (But you have to read the book to understand that joke!) 

Grazie mille for taking the time to look this over. I hope you find the information, resources, and book ammazza (amazing)! 

Ciao for now! And let me know what you think of Red Sails to Capri when you are done!