This Italian-American Newbery Medalist presents a humorous account of his childhood and youth in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

The Italian author recalls his years as a teenager, during Mussolini's rule, the liberation, and the Cold War; his life in Paris and New York; and his travels through the United States in 1959 and 1960.

"The beloved New York Times bestselling author shares a treasure trove of insight and guidance from her two grandmothers-time-tested common sense advice on the most important aspects of a woman's life, from childhood to old age"--