Summer has arrived, and it’s time for a new book to practice Italian. After Un’estate al lago and Andiamo al mare!, my two other Italian practice books, it’s time for a brand new workbook you can use to practice Italian in a fun and easy way, this summer or whenever you feel like working on your Italian.
Un’estate al lago, the first book I wrote, tells the story of Sabrina, a 17-year-old girl who goes on holiday with her parents to Lake Garda. She brings her diary with her and writes down all her adventures there. The summer at Lake Garda is a chance for her to meet new friends, have fun, and fall in love for the first time.
Sabrina is also the main character of Andiamo al mare!, the book I wrote last year. After a long and difficult winter, Sabrina is ready to go on holiday again. She can’t wait to return to Lake Garda, but her parents have some news for her: they’ll be going to Sardinia, instead. Even though Sabrina is desperate at the thought of not going to Lake Garda, the holiday in Sardinia will be full of adventures and nice surprises!
This year, for the third time, Sabrina is back with her diary and her adventures. The book is called Un’estate diversa because Sabrina won’t go on holiday this year. High school is over, and Sabrina has to work to save money for university. However, she’s fortunate because she lives in Liguria, a stunning Italian region. Needless to say, even though she doesn’t go anywhere, her summer will be full of drama, adventures, and lots of fun.
This summer, for Sabrina, will be a chance to grow up
and become an adult, while her story will be
a fun way for you to practice Italian!
Like the two previous books, Un’estate diversa is divided into 9 chapters. Each chapter contains a diary entry by Sabrina and a series of exercises on comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and writing, with 90 pages of Italian practice. To help you practice listening, I have also recorded the audio files of each chapter. Each chapter has a section on Italian pop culture, and the book includes additional chapters about Liguria and other Italian locations.
Un’estate diversa has been designed for B1-B2 (intermediate) learners, and is a book to practice Italian without stress and anxiety. This means that there will be a good balance between grammar exercises (which will be included) and other, more relaxed activities like learning slang, idioms, and Italian culture. Since both Sabrina and I love music a lot, I included a playlist of Italian 90s pop music, which is also a great way to practice Italian while doing something fun.
Even though it is meant to be a book to practice Italian in a relaxed way, Un’estate diversa has been designed keeping in mind that it is primarily a language-learning book, so it features activities to work on different language skills. You will have fun but also practice grammar, comprehension, reading, and listening, making the book an effective way to practice Italian in a relaxed and peaceful environment.
This is why Un’estate diversa is
a great book to practice Italian and have fun while doing it!
But let me recap very quickly.
What it is
It is an Italian practice book designed for you to study Italian over the summer (or whenever you feel like it). It is a YA book that tells the story of Sabrina, a young girl who goes on holiday with her parents and writes about her daily life in her diary.
In the first episode, she went to Lake Garda, in the second one, she visited Sardinia, while this year she stays home to work because she has to save money for university. The three books are related, but you can enjoy each of them as a stand-alone story, too. You can enjoy Un’estate diversa without reading the other ones (even though it would be fun!).
The book is divided into 9 chapters, and each chapter contains a diary entry by Sabrina, exercises on comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and creative writing, with 90 pages of Italian practice! Each chapter is followed by a section on Italian culture. Also, there are additional chapters about Liguria and other locations in Italy. The package includes audio files of each chapter and a cool 1997 Italian pop summer playlist.
(You’ll get your PDF and the audio files in your purchase receipt email message)
It is for you if
- Your level of Italian is B1/B2 (intermediate)
- You want something fun to practice Italian over the summer (or whenever you want)
- You want to learn more about Italian slang and idioms
- You like YA books and teenage stories
It is not for you if
- You are an absolute beginner in Italian
- You are looking for a structured exercise book with grammar lessons
- You do not like YA books at all!
What you get if you buy the book
- A fun teenage story set in Italy
- Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and creative writing exercises (with keys)
- A PDF file with 90 pages of Italian practice and fun
- Some information about Liguria and other Italian places
- Sections about Italian culture, slang, and idioms
- Audio files of all 9 chapters
- A special summer playlist
- If you read the previous books, you’ll find out if there’s a happy ending for Sabrina and Mark!
(You’ll get your PDF and the audio files in your purchase receipt email message)