Summary

In Chapter 7, the author continues to move quickly through the early adolescent years. In this chapter, the Solara brothers are introduced, Marcello and Michele, whose father owns the Bar Solara, a well-stocked pastry shop and sort-of bar. The brothers are key to the rest of the story. They own the first car of the neighborhood—a blue Fiat 1100—and parade it through the streets on Sundays.

The Peluso's old carpenter shop was transformed into a grocery, run by Stefano, Don Achille's oldest son. It is a well-stocked store that has formed a new hub in the neighborhood. The grocery cart is now driven around the streets by Enzo, now grown past his rock-throwing stage. Overall, the neighborhood, like its young people, is trying to grow. Elena and Lila continue to study Latin together, but of course Lila already knows a host of Latin...