Meet the author—Marianna Randazzo, “Given Away: A Sicilian Upbringing”

A first-generation Italian-American with Sicilian roots, award-winning author, educator and storyteller Marianna Randazzo drew upon her family’s experiences to write Given Away: A Sicilian Upbringing.

Join us on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., at the Village Center as Randazzo discusses and signs her book, now available as a special 10th anniversary edition.

Inspired by a true story, the memoir follows two Sicilian sisters who endure family separation during childhood, poverty, and the hardships of World War II before immigrating to America as teenagers for arranged marriages. Through their story, Randazzo explores resilience, sacrifice, family, immigration, and the strength of the human spirit.

Randazzo has worked as an educator for more than 35 years. She earned a Master of Science in Reading Education from Brooklyn College and has been an elementary school teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, and adjunct professor at NYU. She also served as Director of Education at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum on Staten Island.

An experienced storyteller, Randazzo has shared her stories at the MOTH events, libraries, museums, schools, book clubs, and Italian-American organizations across the United States. She has also taken part in the NYPL World Literature Festival and appeared in the documentary A Field Afar.

Randazzo is the author of Italians of Brooklyn (Arcadia Publishing), Ghostly Tales of Staten Island, Father Vincent R. Capodanno, Navy Chaplain, and other works exploring history, culture, and the Italian-American experience. Her most recent books, Ghostly Tales of the DC Metro Area, and Ghostly Tales of Brooklyn, continue her exploration of local history and storytelling.

She has received several literary honors, including the Grand Lodge Order of New York, Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Literary Award, the Morgagni Silver Medallion Award, and the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum Recognition Award.

Through her writing, teaching, and storytelling, Randazzo works to make sure the struggles, sacrifices, traditions, and triumphs of immigrant families are remembered by future generations.

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