The Possibilities of Sainthood

Antonia Lucia Labella is immediately likable from the first pages where she petitions the Vatican to name a Patron Saint of Figs and Fig Trees. In this warm and witty novel by Donna Freitas, Antonia's voice is what propels this story forward and makes readers not want to leave her world. She prays her way through gym class, a family celebration that requires her to wear a candle crown ablaze and, most importantly, for a truly divine first kiss. Leaving Antonia behind at the end of the book made me melancholy. I hope we will see more of her in the future. --Reviewed by Michelle Delisle

When I first read about this book, I thought "hmm, sounds cute, but how interesting can a story about a girl obsessed with saints be?" But I was wonderfully surprised! This story has heart and a wonderfully cohesive family that you don't see often in teen fiction. I loved spending time with Antonia and her big Italian family and Antonia's side comments about being a Catholic School Girl always made me laugh out loud. I also give big cheers to Maria, who is a great example of a true best friend. Overall, this is a fun story that is a great feel good read. I would recommend to anyone looking for a smart romance with a great cast of characters.

Fifteen-year-old Antonia Lucia Labella lives in Rhode Island with her mom and grandmother. She helps out in the family's Italian grocery store located beneath their apartment and goes to the all-girls Catholic school with her best friend, Maria. She spends most of her remaining free time learning about her favorite subject: saints. Antonia prays to the saints everyday, and her favorite section in the school library is the one with anything a person ever wanted to know about saints. In fact, she has a secret goal, known only to her grandmother and Maria, which is to become the very first living saint in the history of the Catholic Church. Every month she writes a letter to the Pope, suggesting an area lacking in saint representation --- for example, the Patron Saint of Figs and Fig Trees. And every month she humbly suggests herself to fill the role. The Vatican hasn't shown much interest thus far. Antonia has another secret, this one known only to Maria. At the age of 15, Antonia has yet to experience a real, romantic kiss. And she is determined to do something about it. The object of her affections is the gorgeous Andy Rotellini, who goes to the boys' Catholic school. So far, he doesn't seem to know she exists, but after her mom hires him to work at the family store, the situation seems to take a turn for the better. There is one other fellow in Antonia's life, a guy who utterly confuses her. Two years ago, she met Michael McGinnis, and they hung out all summer, quickly becoming friends. But then Michael had to go and ruin it all by trying to kiss Antonia. Two years ago, Antonia wasn't ready for her first big kiss, and she ran away from Michael. She's been pushing away his attentions ever since. But Michael is persistent, and Antonia finally agrees to try the friendship thing again. Will Michael behave himself this time? After getting to know him better, does Antonia really want him to? Donna Freitas has created a warmhearted story filled with humor, reflections and life. Antonia is amazing: very goal-orientated, determined, guided by her heart, a character who almost becomes a real friend. Freitas has a writing style that invites a reader to step into the story, to become part of it, and really feel the emotions and actions of her characters. THE POSSIBILITIES OF SAINTHOOD is a charming and witty book, and her newly-acquired fans will be demanding more. --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

Antonia Lucia Labella is my kind of girl. She's smart, frank, warm-hearted and, above all, wildly imaginative. She also has plans: to be the world's first living saint, and to get her first kiss. This novel is funny and romantic, with vivid characters, but perhaps one of its greatest strengths is its attention to realistic, even homey detail. When Antonia makes pasta, you can see piles of flour. When her family buries fig trees, you can feel that the work has a festive flair to it. When she wears a crown of candles, she gets wax in her hair. Antonia's pursuit of her first kiss brings her into the sphere of a totally swoon-worthy boy. But this book is also about other kinds of love, such as that between friends, or within a family. The Possibilities of Sainthood is a fabulous novel, and a delightfully satisfying read.

I absolutely adored this book. The protagonist, Antonia, wants to become a saint, and part of the book's premise is that she's writing letters every month to the Vatican about her sainthood application. I *loved* this character, and her funny blindness about her actual saint-like abilities (and I loved the way the authors Showed this without Telling it, letting the reader fill in the gaps). Antonia's also dealing with her mother, boyfriend troubles, and getting up at four in the morning to make pasta. The setting--an Italian neighborhood in Rhode Island--is unique and has depth evident in every detail. This book has received FOUR starred reviews and they are definitely deserved. A sequel is forthcoming, and I will snap it up and read it the second it comes out.