In 1592, Donata is a noble girl living in a palazzo on the Grand Canal. Girls of her class receive no education and rarely leave the palazzo. In a noble family, only one daughter and one son will be allowed to marry; Donata, like all younger daughters, will be sent to a convent. Donata longs to be tutored like her brothers and to see the Venice she has glimpsed only on the map. What is the world beyond her balcony, beyond what she sees when she glides, veiled, in a gondola down the canal? She dresses as a boy and escapes the palazzo on the Grand Canal to see the world before she is shut away, and to try to find a way to escape her fate. Donata risks everything; she changes her life, and her family’s life, forever when she walks through the door and encounters a Venice she never knew existed.

Enjoyable and well-paced historical fiction. Well drawn relationships among the sisters (Pride and Prejudice fans may appreciate the characters and their varying priorities). Unlike so many books, a "happily ever after" romance is not the focus here; the protagonist gradually learns to advocate for herself and takes charge of her own destiny. People of different class and religious backgrounds are portrayed thoughtfully.
Some precocious readers may wonder what the frequently mentioned term "prostitutes" means. Other than that, no questionable content. ( )

I'm sorry; I really don't know what to say. It was interesting, but not quite plausible in too many places, and as other reviewers have said, Donata talks to us as if she's sophisticated and wise and mature, but acts like a child. One thing the other reviewers don't seem to have paid much attention to is her r'ship with her different siblings, and their various reactions to their parents' expectations for them, and their affection for each other. All that was a wonderful part of the book.

Oh, and re' the apparent ambivalence about whether D. wants to marry, it's actually quite clear. She wants to marry, but for love, and only if her twin also gets to marry, because her twin is even more suited to the role of wife and mother of an important family. And that's not likely, because they have an older sister, and usually only one daughter marries. ( )

Donata is the daughter of a rich merchant of Venice in the 1500's. She wants to see more of Venice and have more freedom, so she pretends to be a boy and goes out each day to work as a scribe. This book makes you feel as though you are really there. It has great characters and is impossible to put down.
Review by: Nana

This is a fantastic book. Trace back to the year 1592 and experience the feelings of a young Venician girl. History lovers MUST read this book!
Review by: shevi

I recommend this book as a amazing read!! it truly was facinating!!!!!!!!
Review by: sarah

it is very adventurous and fun to read!
Review by: Audrey

I read the book Daughter Of Venice. It is about a girl, named Donata who has a huge family with tweleve children including herself. She has an identical twin sister named Laura. Donata wants to see the world beyond her balcony veiw but, she, being in a noble family, can't go out alone. She dresses up as a boy and goes out side her home. She only planned to go out once but, because she hurts her foot and needs shoes she doesn't have money to pay for she gets a lone from a printer but has to pay him back. She has to work in his printing shop for a month to pay him back. Her twin sister covers for her the whole month. Her father falls for it and rewards Donata with marrage instead of Laura. Donata knows that Laura should marry, so she gets Noe to teach her latin so she can write a note that says she converted to a Jew. Her family finds out about her going outside and backs her out of the marriage and puts Laura in her place. Donata is not sent to a convent but, becomes the tutor of her brouther's children. I really enjoyed this book because it shows a girl who wants to do things she is not allowed to do and actually puts her ideas to work. This book is exciting, adventurous, interesting, and a great example of Italian life.

The book was amazing, the time might be different but the book itself was very modern. Wherever there are teenagers there are teen angst. its highly recommened
Review by: Savion Cohen

Daughter of Venice is about a young girl, Donata, who is tired of barely having any rights like the ones her brothers have. She can't go outside without being escorted, she can't have an education, and most importantly, she can't get married. After discovering that she will have to be sent to a convent, she decides to disguise herself as a boy and go out into the Venice she barely knew.
This book is awesome!
Review by: ginger

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! About a young girl who wants more rights.
Review by: grace

this was a fascinating book about a teenage venetian girl doesn't want to go to a convent and sets out for adventure. I recommend this to middle age book lovers. ( )

Although this is young adult fiction, I found the story very engaging. The main character is plucky and intelligent, and there are numerous details about Venetian life in the 1500s which bring the story alive and add to the interest -- details about clothing, food, class/social structure, daily activities, wool spinning, the legal process and architecture, among other topics. A quick, fascinating read. Recommended. ( )