Melina Marchetta – författare

For as long as Josephine Alibrandi can remember, it’s just been her, her mom, and her grandmother. Now it’s her final year at a wealthy Catholic high school. The nuns couldn’t be any stricter—but that doesn’t seem to stop all kinds of men from coming into her life.Caught between the old-world values of her Italian grandmother, the nononsense wisdom of her mom, and the boys who continue to mystify her, Josephine is on the ride of her life. This will be the year she falls in love, the year she discovers the secrets of her family’s past—and the year she sets herself free.Told with unmatched depth and humor, this novel—which swept the pool of Australian literary awards and became a major motion picture—is one to laugh through and cry with, to cherish and remember.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Before there was Eleanor and Park, there was Francesca and Will.A compelling story of romance, family, and friendship, with humor and heart, perfect for fans of If I Stay, The Spectacular Now, and Looking for Alaska.Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastian’s, a boys'' school that pretends it''s coed by giving the girls their own bathroom.  Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an impossibly dorky accordion player.  The boys are no better, from Thomas, who specializes in musical burping, to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can''t seem to stop thinking about. Then there''s Francesca''s mother, who always thinks she knows what''s best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling of who she really is.  Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life, and—hardest of all—herself.Melina Marchetta is the Printz-winning author of Jellicoe Road, as well as Looking for Alibrandi and Finnikin of the Rock.

"Filled with questions about the impact of exile and the human need to belong, this standout fantasy reveals that its real magic lies in its writing." — Booklist (starred review)Finnikin was a child when the royal family of Lumatere was brutally murdered and an imposter seized the throne. Now a curse binds all who remain, and those who escaped roam surrounding lands persecuted, sick, and despairing. A boy on the cusp of manhood, Finnikin is compelled to join forces with a young novice named Evanjalin, who claims that her dreams will lead the exiles to a surviving royal child and a way to regain Lumatere. But her behavior suggests she is not what she seems – and the startling truth will test Finnikin’s faith in everything he knows. In a narrative that crackles like a coming storm, Printz Award-winner Melina Marchetta crafts an epic fantasy that rivets from the first page.

The second in Melina Marchetta's epic fantasy trilogy, set in a menacing kingdom and perfect for Game of Thrones fans.The second in Melina Marchetta's epic fantasy trilogy, set in a menacing kingdom and perfect for fans of Game of Thrones. The curse on the kingdom of Lumatere has been broken but there is a dark challenge ahead for Froi. Wild as he is, he has finally found somewhere he feels he belongs: by the side of Finnikin and the queen. But Froi must channel his savage side when he is sent on a mission to a rival kingdom, each inhabitant childless for eighteen years. With a frenzied princess roaming the palace, and danger lurking in every corner, Froi needs to discover the truth before it's too late.

“Vivid and wholly satisfying... A stand-out fantasy series.” Booklist (starred review)Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child’s right to rule. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face-to-face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other. The complex tangle of bloodlines, politics, and love introduced in Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles coalesce into an engrossing climax in this conclusion to Printz Award winner Melina Marchetta’s epic fantasy trilogy.

Francesca is at the beginning of her second term in Year Eleven at an all boy''s school that has just started accepting girls. She still misses her old friends, and, to make things worse, her mother has had a breakdown and can barely move from her bed.But Francesca had not counted on the fierce loyalty of her new friends, or falling in love, or finding that it''s within her power to bring her family back together.A memorable and much-loved Australian classic told with humour, compassion and joy, from Melina Marchetta, the internationally bestselling and multi-award-winning author of Looking for Alibrandi.

Melina Marchetta''s stunning debut novel Looking for Alibrandi is one girl''s story of her final year at school, a year she sets herself free. Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen and in her final year at a wealthy girls'' school. This is the year she meets her father, the year she falls in love, the year she searches for Alibrandi and finds the real truth about her family – and the identity she has been searching for. A moving and revealing book, unusual for its honesty and its insight into the life of a young person on the brink of adulthood. Multi-award-winning, a bestseller and made into an award-winning feature film, Looking for Alibrandi has become a modern classic.

Beyond the basketball courts and classrooms of St Raph''s is a gully where everything disappears forever. Danny Griggs has heard stories about a creature that lives down there. So why does he volunteer to face the Gorgon when he''s been petrified of everything all his life? A gentle story about overcoming fear and looking at things from all angles, from much-loved and best-selling author Melina Marchetta.

I''m beginning to realise that things don''t turn our the way you want them to. And sometimes when they don''t, they can turn out just a little bit better. Every so often, there comes a story so brilliant and lively and moving that it cannot be left in the past. Rediscover the magic of our country''s most memorable children''s books in the Penguin Australia Children''s Classics series of stories too precious to leave behind.

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, friendship and kindness from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief and humour, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers.Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Friday, when she and Alessandro decide to paint Nonno Nino’s little yellow boat . . .Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week!''A charming series that will enchant all who read it.’ The Book Muse‘Highly recommended . . . Full of humour and brimming with the close ties of family, [and] . . . community, children will love reading of Zola and her life.’ Fran Knight

Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble!Collect all seven stories in the series – one for every day of the week.

Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble! Like on Tuesday, when Zola tries to help Nonna knit a scarf . . .Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week.

Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble! Like on Wednesday, when Zola has a plan to help find her friend Sophia’s missing turtle . . . Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week.

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, sustainability, diversity and family from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief, humour and feeling, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers.Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Thursday, when she and the gang form a band and upset their cranky neighbour, Mr Walton . . .Collect all seven stories in the series – one for every day of the week!‘Highly recommended . . . Full of humour and brimming with the close ties of family, [and] . . . community, children will love reading of Zola and her life.’ Fran Knight''I don’t know about you but I am getting incredibly fond of Zola and her neighbourhood. This little series is just truly delightful and I know that little readers must love being able to make connections with their own family, friends, schools and communities . . . Your newly independent readers both boys and girls will just adore these stories and they would make fabulous read-alouds for either classroom teachers or teacher-librarians paired with some activities and action plans. Highly recommended for little readers from around six years upwards.’ Sue Warren

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, friendship and kindness from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief and humour, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers.Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Saturday, when it’s tomato day at Nonna Rosa’s and Zola is helping out . . .Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week!''A charming series that will enchant all who read it.’ The Book Muse‘Bursting with warmth, family love, troublesome dogs, and growing things . . . perfect for beginning readers . . . Zola is such a delightful, thoughtful, and slightly mischievous character.’ Aussie Kids Books‘There is a rich diversity in families with single parents, same-sex parents, multi-generational families and different cultures . . . Perfect for newly independent readers or for class or home read-alouds, I highly recommend this for little humans from around 6 years upwards.’ Sue WarrenA beautiful big family, cousins living in the house behind you, a hole in the fence for you to climb through and play. A beautiful street, a community of people you love . . . a neglected garden that everyone has forgotten . . . a beautiful junior novel about family and community. . . It truly does warm your heart as you read it . . . It’s absolutely stunning!’ Kids Book Review‘Early readers aged 5–7 are very fortunate to now have a Melina Marchetta story just for them.’ Angela Crocombe, Books + Publishing

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, friendship and kindness from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief and humour, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers.Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Sunday, when it’s St Odo’s fete and Zola and the gang join in the fun . . .Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week!''A charming series that will enchant all who read it.’ The Book Muse‘Bursting with warmth, family love, troublesome dogs, and growing things . . . perfect for beginning readers . . . Zola is such a delightful, thoughtful, and slightly mischievous character.’ Aussie Kids Books‘There is a rich diversity in families with single parents, same-sex parents, multi-generational families and different cultures . . . Perfect for newly independent readers or for class or home read-alouds, I highly recommend this for little humans from around 6 years upwards.’ Sue WarrenA beautiful big family, cousins living in the house behind you, a hole in the fence for you to climb through and play. A beautiful street, a community of people you love . . . a neglected garden that everyone has forgotten . . . a beautiful junior novel about family and community. . . It truly does warm your heart as you read it . . . It’s absolutely stunning!’ Kids Book Review‘Early readers aged 5–7 are very fortunate to now have a Melina Marchetta story just for them.’ Angela Crocombe, Books + Publishing