Brilliant book. First of series. Story of two girls, told in first person by one of them, as they grow up in poor neighbourhood of Italy. Although the two girls are equally academically brilliant, the story-teller remains in school to the end of the book but the other, who over-shadows her, quits to get married.
Tells of struggles of small business owners (cobbler, grocery store,...) and their families.
Not a lot different from my English neighbourhood.
Lots of insight into social conditions and the thinking of girls growing up.