What This Book Is About
Hector is the son of a deep-sea diver in a small seaside town, and he wants to be a diver himself. The family marina has been ruined by a rival, and what Hector longs for most is to find the Pearl, the one everybody in the town tells stories about.
He finds it on his very first dive. That is where his troubles begin, and where the story really starts. Written in Italian by Elisa Sabatinelli, translated by Christopher Turner and illustrated throughout by Iacopo Bruno, it is a short novel that looks and feels like a much bigger book.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
At 92 pages with generous illustrations, this is an ideal stepping stone for a Grade 3 reader moving from picture books to chapter books: it looks like a proper novel and reads like a long story, without the length.
It also comes from somewhere else. The book was written in Italian and is set in a seaside town, so a child reading it in Singapore is reading a story told in a tradition other than the British and American one that fills most school shelves.
Reading Level Guide
Building reading foundations? Start with picture books and simple labeled stories.
The sweet spot. Short chapters and beautiful illustrations keep the story moving, while new vocabulary builds naturally through context.
A quick, easy read. Great for building reading speed and confidence.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.