Virginia's+Stones+in+Water+Elements

Setting~ This book takes place during WWII (1939-1945), a time when Jews were persecuted and executed. It was also a time when boys were miscellaneously taken from their homes or home towns for forced labor, often in another country. Without any warning, many never got a chance to see their families again because they either worked to death, died by being shot, or escaped (as in Roberto's case) but decided not to go home. It was a time of great suffering for all people throughout the world, especially throughout Europe where this story takes place.

Plot~ When Roberto, Samuel, Memo, and Sergio think they are going to an American film, they really are going to a round-up sight where soldiers take them away to work at camps. After being split up, Roberto finds himself with Samuel (renamed Enzo because Samuel is too Jewish sounding) as his only friend and only one to talk to. Through getting into trouble several times, Roberto and Enzo travel to multiple places including the Ukraine where many of them die because of the cold. After Enzo dies, Roberto cannot stand staying in work camps the rest of his, probably short, life. He now faces a new adventure against nature and the rest of the world, trying his best to stay alive and get back home. Along the way he meets a Ukrainian boy that he calls "Regazzo" who helps him get out of Ukraine, and later he meets a Roman soldier who helps him closer to home. But at the end of the story, Roberto realizes that he does not want to go home. He wants to stick with this Roman soldier who is planning to actively fight against the war.

Main Characters~ Roberto is the main character of this story. He is willing to work hard, but also take risks in order to survive. His eyes are opened to the evil of the war through this story, and he decides he will actively support and help those against the war. War meant the death of his best friend, and many more sufferings trying to get back home, so he will fight against the true evil of the war.

Samuel (a.k.a.-Enzo) is a Jewish boy that does everything he possibly can to keep Roberto and himself together. Because he would be a target for any German soldier, he constantly needs to be cautious of anything that may give him away. He becomes Roberto's best friend and also the only one who speaks Venetian. Unfortunately, though, he dies at a work camp because of jealous other boys that beat him to death for his boots.

Theme~

The main theme of this book is struggle for survival against all possible forces. Roberto struggles to face the pressure of soldiers, the pressure of the wilderness, and most of all, the pressure of his own thoughts. The soldiers make Roberto’s opportunity of survival as difficult as possible. They make both survival at the labor camp **and** escape near impossible. The soldiers find a way to trap Roberto. Somehow, Roberto gets by, wisely using every advantage to stay alive. After he uses the advantage of escape, he faces the pressure of the wilderness: the deadly cold, the rarity of food, and other animals fighting for survival as well. Roberto finds himself in need of every resource possible- from water bugs to tree branches- to stay alive. Throughout these struggles, he faces his own thoughts and confusion, not knowing what to expect next. Facing the world is a struggle in itself, but facing it alone is enough to drive one to his grave. However, despite all of the hardships Roberto must face, he succeeds in his struggle for survival.