Looking for Alibrandi: Screenplay of a Film

by Melina Marchetta

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.

Genres: Young Adult, Read For School, Plays, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Drama

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Melina Marchetta was born in Sydney Australia. Her first novel, Looking For Alibrandi was awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia award in 1993 and her second novel, Saving Francesca won the same award in 2004. Looking For Alibrandi was made into a major film in 2000 and won the Australian Film Institute Award for best Film and best adapted screen play, also written by the author. On the Jellicoe Road was released in 2006 and won the US Printz Medal in 2009 for excellence in YA literature. This was followed up by Finnikin of the Rock in 2008 which won the Aurealis Award for YA fantasy, The Piper's Son in 2010 which was shortlisted for the Qld Premier's Lit Award, NSW Premier's Lit Award, Prime Minister's Literary Awards, CBC awards and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Her follow up to Finnikin, Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn were released in 2012 and 2013. Her latest novel Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil is an adult crime novel.

Reviews

[Gia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book when I read it as a 12-year-old. Despite having had to study it in high school, I still more than like this book. The cultural insight was fresh and exciting. And I was able to relate to Josie as an "ethnic" person living in Australia. Her problems, emotional turmoil and constant suffering were so familiar it hurt sometimes but this was the book that got me through those difficult racist moments in high school.

[ValTheBookEater]

you can imagine my joy at recognising a scene I got for my acting class ("You'll have to meet my mother") and then deciding to read the whole script again.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good portrayal of Australian teenagers in the 90's. Took me right back there!

[Esther Tang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handy high school book that delves into young adult themes like fitting in, body image, friendship, and dating. Believable and enjoyable.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a young adolescent, and it was just the best book ever to me back then. I read it several times in the years to come. The story of a teenage girl discovering boys, friendships, family secrets. It was funny, heartbreaking, and touching.

I'd be too scared to read it again now in case my adult self can't relate as much to how I did as a teen, but happy for it to stay in my memories as my favourite book for many years of my youth!

[Kerry Cashman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart, soul and heritage beautifully told and captured. Life in a glimpse of a young girl growing up ethnic in a white society and having to deal with the pressure of HSC, boys, family and meeting her biological father in the mix. Reread this book again 2022 after seeing a stage production last week. This will become a classic years from now...pure joy.

[Renata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. Being part Italian myself, it made me want to go and visit my family in Italy, something I haven't done since I was a baby. This book was sad, hilarious and heartwarming all at the same time and although it was written almost when I was born, it was still relatable.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josephine Alibrandi is a smart, sassy seventeen year old, living in Sydney during her last year of high school. She’s got a lot to think about this year, as she struggles with her identity as an Australian-Italian, her first boyfriend, her relationships with her mother and grandmother, and meeting her absentee father for the first time in her life. There’s a lot of heavy issues in this coming of age novel, but if I had to put my finger on the biggest one to Josephine is the idea of balancing two cultural identities.

While the characters in this book are universally appealing, especially headstrong Josephine, I think it may be more enjoyable to adults than teens at this point. It’s very much dated in the early 90’s and, perhaps at least here in America, the concept of an Italian struggling to fit in, culturally, seems a ghost of the past. Still, this was a satisfying read that was hard to put down in the end. I’m not sure who I’d recommend this one to, other than librarians and readers who liked Marchetta’s other novels.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had so many feelings about this book.

I had to read it because I was teaching it for English. I'd heard a lot about it, good and bad, so it was a mixed bag to begin with.
Early on there were times I wanted to hurl it across the room, where, if you'd been watching me, you'd have seen the anger and frustration on my face, the teeth-grinding. I guess I related a lot to this story and brought out things in me that I haven't bothered to feel in a while.

But as a read on, it grew on me.
I think this is a really honest book. Yes, Josie's dealing with something that, to many, may be nothing, but that doesn't make it wrong or irrelevant. Brutal and infuriating at times, Marchetta tells the story of a 'real' teenage girl - who doesn't answer to anyone about who she is or whether or not her fears are legitimate and novel-worthy and I like that.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I studied this at school, but despite this, I do like it a lot.
Firstly, I love to support Australian authors, and I think Melina Marcetta is worthy of support in any case.
I love the cultural insights, and the dominance of female characters.
I like that Josie is so far from perfect, along with every other character ( except maybe Josie's mother. She is saint like in a strange way, I think.)
There are some pretty big issues tackled in the book, but I think its pretty appropriate stuff for teenagers. Personally, I related to it, and I imagine I wasn't alone with that.
My favorite Marcetta is Saving Francesca, but Looking For Alibrandi is a worthy second.

[Sophie Farinacci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was 12. I found it quite relatable in many ways despite the time and age difference. Josephine is a very relatable character and throughout the book, Melinda highlights the struggles of fitting in and wanting to fit in, which in a girl, is something that happens from the moment you start school.
It is not like any other book that I have read. It has a deeper meaning and is more full on in the area of politics and pollitical correctness. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Aussie Owned and Read Owned and Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this book I was deeply affected by it. I was quite young, had lived a fairly sheltered existence in a happy little Mountains town, and reading this book really opened my eyes up to the world of high school and multiculturalism.

I love the honesty in this book. It’s so real with no pretenses, and explores prejudices and learning that sometimes people aren’t always what they seem.

A must read if you get the chance.

Full review on the blog. http://aussieownedandread.com/2013/07...

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in year ten and I loved everything about it. The writing was well done, it was simple but effective for what it was. The character was realistic and I found myself relating to her in a way, not so much with the cultural issues but getting into senior year, figuring out what you want your future to be etc. I don't know what else to say other than it was an amazing story and I loved everything about it.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun-loving book that nearly every seventeen year old could probably relate too! Josephine Alibrandi is an austrlian girl living in a bustling city and trying to deal with her annoying Italian Grandmother harping about her Austrlian ways... A classic tale that will be loved for many more generations

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

The worst thing about this book was the narrator, Josie Alibrandi. For a seventeen-year-old I found her to be immature, self-centred, rude, outspoken and generally obnoxious. Her parents were so much nicer than she was, but her mother needed to discipline her more when she was a child because the way Josie spoke to people was horrendous at times, especially when she was angry or upset.

[Taarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it - the plot was so real and the humor was entertaining. Josiphine is hilarious and i love the way her thoughts are so frank. i chose to do a book report thing on it for highschool level one english thing and there was alot to work with!
i recommend it to everyone.

[Aiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about an Italian/Australain teenage girl going through family issues and year 12 with her single mother. The author Melina Marchetta has really gotten into writing as a teenage girl. Similar to the book Saving Francesca.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was by far the best book I have read. I really enjoyed reading this as I could relate to some things but I thought it was a very good book for teenage girls I would recommend this to all teenage girls.

[Stephen A. Corry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know a lot of people loved this story, and that's the nature of books and the like. It just wasn't for me. I seemed expecting some sort of fun adventure, but it never happened. Just a story about a girl looking for her father. Fine if you like this sort of thing.

[Run away brain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most amazing novel and movie i have ever seen and read. It is one of the most funniest things i have ever read! Good job!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good novel about Aussie teenagers growing up in Sydney. I read this in high school and loved it. A classic Australian YA novel. Would recommend to teenagers.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a staple read for Young Adult literature in Australia. One of my favourites.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favourite!!!! LOVE IT

[Laura]

Such A FANTASTIC book full of excitment, love and sadness

[Emily Guest · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book for people aged between 14-16.

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

To word it simply - This book is and will always be one of my very favourites!

[Emily Coad]

I'm currently year 10 and we're studying this book at the moment in class, I love it! It's just so easy to relate to.

[An]

I think this book is about teens is about a teenage girl in her final years of doing her HSC and falls in love with a guy next door school.
Overall this book is enjoyable to read!!

[Jinnie Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

very intruging!