Street Boys

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In Naples, Italy, during four crucial days in the fall of 1943, the city lies in ruins, inhabited only by abandoned children whose sole aim is survival. These lost souls transform into fearless fighters, unexpectedly becoming heroes of World War II. Set in late September, as the war in Europe nears its end, Italy is in chaos, with Mussolini arrested and the German army retreating. Adults have been taken to work camps or worse, leaving behind children, some as young as ten, armed with limited weapons and their own ingenuity. Determined to defend their city from the advancing enemy, these orphans and hidden children resolve to fight back or die trying. Among them is Vincenzo Soldari, a sixteen-year-old history enthusiast eager to lead; Carlo Maldini, a middle-aged drunk seeking redemption; and his daughter Nunzia, who helps him regain his self-respect while falling for an American G.I. Corporal Steve Connors, stranded on reconnaissance, must assist the street boys, while Colonel Rudolph Van Klaus, a Nazi commander, grapples with his mission's brutality. This novel portrays the resilience of youth amid violence, deepening themes of courage and survival, and serves as a powerful tribute to the underdog in the context of World War II.