On the Jellicoe Road is a young adult novel by Melina Marchetta, published in 2006. It tells the story of seventeen-year-old Taylor Markham, who is a resident at the Jellicoe School and the leader of the school’s boarders. The story follows Taylor as she tries to uncover the mystery of her mother’s disappearance and her own past, while also dealing with the rivalries and relationships among the various factions at the school.
The novel explores themes of love, loss, identity, and belonging. It received critical acclaim upon its release and has won several awards, including the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.
Novel Summary
Taylor Markham is a troubled seventeen-year-old girl who is the leader of the boarders at the Jellicoe School, a residential school in the Australian countryside. She has lived at the school since she was eleven, when her mother abandoned her there. Taylor is fiercely independent and guarded, and she has a difficult relationship with the school’s headmaster and home tutor, Hannah.
One day, a group of five boys from a nearby town, known as the Townies, arrive at the school to participate in a territory war with the boarders and the cadets, another group of students who live on campus. The territory war is a longstanding tradition at the Jellicoe School, and it involves various challenges and competitions between the three groups.
As the territory war begins, Taylor is approached by Jonah Griggs, the leader of the Townies, who reveals that he has a connection to Taylor’s past. Jonah tells Taylor that her mother, who she thought was dead, is actually alive and living in New York. Jonah’s revelations prompt Taylor to begin searching for the truth about her mother and her own past.
As Taylor investigates, she begins to uncover a complex web of secrets and lies that have been kept hidden for years. She learns that Hannah, the headmaster, was once a student at the Jellicoe School and was involved in a tragic incident that left several people dead. Taylor also learns that Jonah’s father was involved in the incident and that Jonah has a personal stake in uncovering the truth.
As the territory war reaches its climax, Taylor is forced to confront her own demons and make a choice about her future. Will she stay at the Jellicoe School, or will she leave to find her mother and learn the truth about her past?
Acclaim and Awards
On the Jellicoe Road received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and has won several awards. Here are some of the awards and achievements of the book:
- Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature: Winner of the award in 2008. This award is presented annually by the American Library Association to the best book written for young adults.
- Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award: Winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award in the Older Readers category in 2007.
- New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards: Nominated for the Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature in the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards in 2007.
- Australian Book Industry Awards: Nominated for the Book of the Year for Older Children award at the Australian Book Industry Awards in 2007.
On the Jellicoe Road has received widespread recognition and has been widely praised by critics and readers alike for its compelling plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes.
Recommended Reading Lists
On the Jellicoe Road has been included on several lists of recommended reading for young adults, including:
- “Best Books for Young Adults” by the American Library Association
- “Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults” by the Young Adult Library Services Association
- “Notable Children’s Books” by the Children’s Book Council of Australia
- “Best Books for Teens” by the Children’s Book Council of Australia
- “Teens’ Top Ten” by the Young Adult Library Services Association
These lists are compiled by professional librarians and educators, and they are meant to highlight the best and most popular books for young adults.
Reviews and Quotes
Here are some quotes about the novel from critics and readers:
A mesmerizing and ultimately uplifting story about the fierce loyalty of friendship and the power of forgiveness.
Publishers Weekly
A beautifully written, deeply moving tale of love, loss, and the struggle to find one’s place in the world.
Kirkus Reviews
A complex, layered, and ultimately rewarding story that tackles big themes with intelligence and heart.
Booklist
A thought-provoking and emotionally rich novel that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.
School Library Journal
A beautiful and intense exploration of love, loss, and identity that left me in tears.
Goodreads reviewer
On the Jellicoe Road is a beautifully written, emotionally intense story that kept me up late into the night. I was completely captivated by the complex characters and the intricate, interconnected plot.
Goodreads reviewer
Where Can I Get My Copy?
On the Jellicoe Road is available for purchase online through a variety of retailers. Here are a few places where you can buy the book:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Books-A-Million
- IndieBound
- Powell’s Books
You can also check with your local bookstore to see if they have a copy in stock. Many bookstores have an online presence and offer the option to order books for pickup or delivery. You can also try checking with a library in your area to see if they have a copy available for loan.
Interesting Facts About the Book
The book was Melina Marchetta’s second novel. Her debut novel, “Looking for Alibrandi,” was published in 1992 and became a best-seller in Australia. “On the Jellicoe Road” was Marchetta’s first novel to be published internationally.
The book has been widely praised by readers and has a strong following among young adults. It has received numerous positive reviews on online platforms such as Goodreads and has been widely discussed in online communities and forums.
There is no real Jellicoe School. “On the Jellicoe Road” is a work of fiction, and the Jellicoe School is a fictional location that is featured in the novel. It is a residential school located in the Australian countryside, and it is home to a diverse group of students who live on campus in dormitories. The school is known for its territory war, a longstanding tradition that involves various challenges and competitions between the school’s three factions: the boarders, the Townies, and the cadets. The Jellicoe School serves as a backdrop for the events of the novel and plays an important role in the story of the main character, Taylor Markham.
There is a real Jellicoe Road in New South Wales, Australia. It’s a street located in the suburb of Homebush West, which is about 15 km west of the central business district of Sydney. Jellicoe Road in the novel is a rural road located in the Australian countryside, while the real Jellicoe Road is a suburban street located in Sydney city. The name of the road in the novel was inspired by the real Jellicoe Road in Sydney, but the two locations are otherwise unrelated.
Melina Marchetta is an Australian author who was born and raised in Sydney. She is best known for her young adult novels, including “Looking for Alibrandi” and “On the Jellicoe Road.” Marchetta has lived in Sydney for much of her life and is deeply connected to the city. Many of her novels are set in Sydney and draw on her own experiences growing up in the city. Marchetta has also written a number of adult novels and has worked as a screenwriter, television writer, and director.
I was not expecting to be so affected by this book. The characters and their stories stayed with me long after I finished reading. I felt an urge to start the book all over again as soon as I finished it. It’s best to go into this book without knowing too much about it, so I’ll try not to give too much away in this review.