Francesco's Fountain
Lulu, 2011
Paperback, 80 pages, $7.99

This book by Katherine Rinne (Architecture faculty) is historical fiction for young adult readers who are interested in art and cities. It tells the story of Francesco, a 12-year old apprentice stonemason who leaves his small village to go to Rome in 1748. He works on the Trevi Fountain with his uncle, who designed it, and some other young apprentices. His errands and work take him all over this city of confusing streets and alleys. While he and the other apprentices are fictional characters, his uncle, Nicola Salvi and the other architects and sculptors are real historical figures. Under the guidance of these men, Francesco learns how to inspect marble and how to carve sculptural details. He learns about aqueducts and fountains and solves the mystery of the stolen water. When Rome is flooded in 1750 he helps save the Trevi Fountain.