The Red Zone: An Earthquake Story, Hardcover

An Italian town deals with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake

Matteo, Guilia, and Federico have ordinary lives: they spend time with friends, help out their families, go to school, and deal with the many mood swings that come with growing up. Then, in a single night, everything changes. The ground shakes. An earthquake devastates their town and their security. But after everything is gone, life must go on. Anger and fear affect everyone in the community, but each of them must find a way to begin again. In the aftermath, the roots for stronger friendships can be laid amid the rubble. This graphic novel provides a look at how natural disaster can strike and forever change a community.

Silvia Vecchini is an Italian author who writes picture books, novels, poetry, and comics for children. She runs workshops for schools, libraries, and bookshops and also holds creative writing classes. Sualzo is an author and highly acclaimed comics illustrator working with many Italian publishing houses. He won the Festi'DB di Moulins in 2009 for best screenplay and was a finalist for the Attilio Micheluzzi Prize in 2010.