foregoing going out with girlfriends to take care of him while he was sick in bed. Enrico and Silvia's unnamed younger brother who studies under Ms. Delcati. Does not have much input on Enrico's diary, since he cannot talk down to him like the other family members do. Enrico's classmates Antonio "Tonino" Rabucco: Known as "the little stonemason" because of his father's job. He is the youngest boy in the class. Coretti: The jolly son of a retired veteran turned lumberman. As he often wakes up early in the morning to collect wood, he relies heavily on coffee to stay awake in class. He's always seen wearing his favorite cat-skin cap. Ernesto Derossi: The class' perennial champion, he wins the top medal in the class every month. He is a natural learner who doesn't need to study much. Despite his prowess, he is humble and not haughty. Garrone: Friendly tough guy. He protects his weak classmates Nelli and Crossi, and as the oldest boy in the class is the de facto enforcer. Pietro Precossi: The soft-spoken frail son of an abusive, alcoholic blacksmith who beats him. At one point, he earns the runner-up medal in the class which motivates his father to realise his abusive behavior, sober up and stop beating him. Carlo Nobis: Haughty because his parents are rich and of noble lineage. However, his father forces him to apologize to Betti when Carlo insults Betti and his coal miner father. Stardi: Derossi's perennial medal challenger along with Votini. Although not as mentally gifted as the former, he compensates by being the most determined and hard-working student in class. He likes reading books though he doesn't own many of them. Betti: Son of a coal miner. Votini: Top contender to the top medal, at one point others make light of his envy of Derossi. Crossi: A timid red-head with a paralyzed arm. His father is a woodworker who was absent for most of his childhood, serving time for involuntary manslaughter. Often victim of bullies for his disability and family background. Nelli: Hunchbacked and also bullied because of it. Garrone becomes his protector. Coraci: Dark-skinned boy from Calabria, in the south of Italy. Garoffi: Son of a pharmacist, he is a savvy trader who deals on toys, trading cards and useful trinkets on the side whenever he can. Franti: Bad student, all-around jerk and delinquent who bullies people, pulls mean