The exciting series for teens that explores life and love around the world. Studying abroad isn't at all like Kelly thought it would be. Instead of shopping for fine Italian leather and living in an apartment with a view of the Colosseum, she is stuck in a stuffy dorm room with three other girls, and is sharing one shower with the entire floor! This is not the bella Roma that she'd dreamed of. But there is one part of Italy that Kelly doesn't mind—Joe, a really cute guy who's in the study abroad program too. Joe's into staying up late and partying hard, two things that Kelly used to love doing. Bad habits are hard to break, and she soon finds herself on thin ice with the program coordinators. If Kelly's not careful, she might just get the boot… Grade 6-10–A summer in Rome for a prestigious study program is cramping 17-year-old Kelly's style: b-o-r-i-n-g roommates, tight quarters, lots of work. Where are those Prada shopping sprees and gorgeous Italian guys she'd figured on? Then, along comes hunky California surfer Joe, who's into staying out late and partying. She starts seeing him and neglecting her assignments, and the program's director warns her that she'd better straighten up or she'll find herself flying home before the term ends. Opportunities to visit world-famous museums and ancient ruins and to study classical works of art slowly make an impression on her. She hones her talent for drawing by sketching the wonders she encounters on class trips. As Kelly becomes immersed in the culture and scenery, she makes peace with her peers and with herself. Guthart paints her characters with a broad brush, but the landscape and Kelly's innate good nature carry the tale. Teens will relate to the various types of students and glean some appreciation for Rome's rich heritage. –Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Peggy Guthart Strauss  never studied abroad, but every time she travels to Europe it is a valuable learning experience. When she isn’t writing, Peggy works as a graphic designer at the promotional advertising company she runs with her husband. They live in New York City with their rambunctious cairn terrier. When in Rome . . . At home, Kelly had spent hours looking at Rome websites (or the cute Roman guys on them, anyway), and now, from the bus, she recognized the jagged ruins of the Colosseum, Rome’s ancient stadium. She hoped it would be as impressive in real life as it looked online. The bus turned through a set of iron gates with a brass sign posted on them: PROGRAMMA INTERNAZIONALE DI ROMA. The building wasn’t enormous, but it was impressive: four stories high, in reddish stucco with lighter-colored details around the tall, arched windows framed with green shutters. “It’s even prettier than the pictures in the brochure,” Kelly said. “Check out that terrace over there. That’ll be the perfect place for sunbathing and soaking up the scenery.” “Or reading,” Sheela said. Kelly sighed. “You can’t tell me we’ve just flown four thousand miles so you can stick your head in a book and ignore a view like this.” “Okay, okay. For once, I’m totally with you,” Sheela answered. “This is absolutely beautiful.” Spontaneously, the girls reached out and squeezed each other’s hands. They had arrived.