Attired in conservative skirts, heels, and jackets, American study-abroad students switch gears to help rescue books and manuscripts buried by the devastating Arno flood. The mud was full of adulterants, especially fuel oil. Adding a fictional detail, the author gives the Florentine child who narrates the story an ancestor whose “hand-printed, older-than-old, one-of-a-kind book” is imperiled. Despite the danger, the students work to save the texts. It’s a heartwarming but only partially told story. Though the angeli del fango came from across Europe, Japan, and several U.S. universities, the text refers to “American students,” while the author’s note focuses on the work of the Florida State University Mud Angels. Vague passing reference to “other students” and to helpers coming “from every direction” still leave the misleading impression that FSU students were the main heroes—an omission that’s unfair to the many other angels, whether anonymous or known. Engaging color illustrations do portray Florence’s famous Ponte Vecchio but mainly focus on the books and mud. Several students are depicted as Black or brown.