This book is specially¹ dedicated² to the boys of the elementary schools between the ages of nine and thirteen years, and might be entitled: “The Story of a Scholastic³ Year written by a Pupil of the Third Class of an Italian Municipal School.” In saying written by a pupil of the third class, I do not mean to say that it was written by him exactly as it is printed. He noted⁴ day by day in a copy-book, as well as he knew how, what he had seen, felt, thought in the school and outside the school; his father at the end of the year wrote these pages on those notes, taking care not to alter the thought, and preserving, when it was possible, the words of his son. Four years later the boy, being then in the lyceum, read over the MSS. and added something of his own, drawing on his memories, still fresh, of persons and of things.  
Now read this book, boys; I hope that you will be pleased with it, and that it may do you good.
 
Edmondo De Amicis.