Looking for Alibrandi

by Melina Marchetta

Paperback

Published October 5, 1992

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

[Ollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked how it wasn’t just about the daughter but the whole chain with mum and grandma. Also didn’t realise this was a book until I saw at Vinnies so a very good find gotta watch the movie now.

[Adem Zakeriya · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ GOOD

Looking for Alibrandi captures a very specific moment in life, that uneasy space between adolescence and adulthood where identity feels both urgent and confusing. Through Josie Alibrandi, Marchetta explores family, culture, class, and belonging with an honesty that feels grounded. The story is rooted in everyday experiences, school pressures, friendships, and family expectations, which gives it an immediacy that’s easy to connect with.

One of the book’s strengths is its focus on intergenerational relationships. The tension between Josie, her mother, and her grandmother quietly carries much of the emotional weight. Their differing views on tradition, reputation, and independence reveal how cultural inheritance can feel both protective and restrictive. These dynamics are handled with care.

What stands out most is how the novel treats identity as something unresolved. Josie isn’t presented as a finished person by the end of the story, and that feels true to the age she’s in. Growth happens in small shifts, moments of understanding rather than grand transformations. The book seems more interested in asking questions than offering neat conclusions.

Looking for Alibrandi works best as a quiet coming of age story. It doesn’t aim for spectacle, but instead finds meaning in emotional realism and personal history. Its impact lies in how recognisable its struggles feel, especially for readers navigating questions of self, family, and where they belong.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might have read this through once as a kid but this time I got 80 pages in. I find some of the lines cute:
Sister Gregory is famous for nostril-flaring. Once I commented to someone that she must have been a horse in another life. She overheard and scolded me, saying that, as a Catholic, I shouldn't believe in reincarnation.

But the didacticism and tell-don't-showness got to me. E.g.,
"I'll run to be emancipated. If my society will let me."
"It made me so much more aware of the social and cultural differences around me."
"Maybe we know more or think we know more, or do a lot more, but we haven't been through as much. We'd never be able to cope with the pressures our mothers and grandmothers went through."
Is this really the phrasing a teenage girl uses in her inner monologue?

[Samira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, thank u amazing Literature teacher for recommending the best books ever. Although i don’t remember everything that happened in this novel, I remember enjoying it so deeply. The main character was so interesting and her life was also quite relatable, as she comes from a greek family, and finds it complicated to balance her culture with the Australian culture. I associate really good feelings with this story. Its such a good Australian coming of age story, ill be rereading it once i get my hands on a copy

[Aurelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it talks so much about family and life and religion

[Lila Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my Englidh class and I think it will be the best book I will ever read for school. It was so good and I loved the story line!!

[Chanese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for being apart of the year 10 curriculum!!
Actually enjoyed this book more than I thought.

[Erin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best books i think ive ever read; has the best imagery and pacing, and ends in a way that wraps up the story really well

[Delana Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still as great, read it in high school and read again 25 years later.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

hated this book at first but it grew on me.... a lllooottt. changed my life... main character is insufferable though