Novels

I can’t believe I’ve said it out loud. The truth doesn’t set you free, you know. It makes you feel awkward and embarrassed and defenceless and red in the face and horrified and petrified and vulnerable. But free? I don’t feel free. I feel like shit. Francesca is at the beginning of her school term in Year Eleven at an all boys’ 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 … Continue reading Saving Francesca | Book Reviews

Right from young-adult fiction stories through fantasy to crime genres, Melina Marchetta never fails to stun her readers. Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil is one favorably received crime novel filled with heart-rending drama and cracking fusion of suspense. The book, which was first released in 2016, primarily focuses on Marchetta’s preferred audience—adolescent students. In this book, she infuses elements of suspense, mystery, and detection. Book Summary by Kelly Moto Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil revolves around a suspended British Chief Inspector, Bish Ortley who receives news that a bus ferrying international students is bombed leading to the death … Continue reading Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil

Released in 2003, Saving Francesca is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself. Novel Storyline Francesca is stuck at a fictional version of St. Sebastians – 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 a dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas who specialises in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can’t help thinking about. Then there’s Francesca’s mother, who always thinks she knows what’s best … Continue reading Saving Francesca

Looking for Alibrandi was released in 1992 to much acclaim. Published in 14 countries, including 11 translated editions, Looking for Alibrandi swept the pool of literary awards for young adult fiction in 1993 (including the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award: Older Readers). Known as “the most stolen library book”, the novel has sold more than half a million copies worldwide. It was followed by Melina’s film adaptation of the same title released in 1999. Novel Summary Looking for Alibrandi is a girl’s story of her final year at school; a year she sets herself free. Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen and studying at … Continue reading Looking for Alibrandi

Published in 2010, The Piper’s Son is about love, guilt and forgiveness in the context of family and friendship. Novel Storyline The story focuses on Francesa’s circle of friends and is told from the alternating points of view of Tom Mackee, aged 21, and his aunt Georgie, aged 42. Tom abandoned the circle of friends and his sort-of girlfriend Tara after his beloved Uncle Joe was killed by a suicide bomber in London. Unable to handle his grief, Tom fell in with new friends who party hard. After a particularly reckless night, Tom decides to leave his new friends. He moves in … Continue reading Piper’s Son

Finnikin of the Rock is a young-adult fantasy novel released in 2009. It follows the story of Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian. They have been away from home for ten years after the royal family was killed. When he is told that the heir to the throne is still alive, they must follow a young woman, Evanjalin, in order to reach the prince. Novel Synopsis It was the best of times. The kingdom was safe, wealth was abundant, and the people were happy. At the age of nine, Finnikin sees this all torn away. The royal family is … Continue reading Finnikin

On the Jellicoe Road was first published in Australia in 2006 (by Penguin Australia) under the title On the Jellicoe Road. The young adult novel was awarded the 2008 West Australia Young Readers Book (WAYRB) Award for Older Readers. It was published in the United States in 2008 under the abbreviated title Jellicoe Road by HarperTeen and went on to win the 2009 Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association. Novel Summary The story is set around the life of Taylor Lily Markham. At 17 years of age, she is the leader of the boarding school on the … Continue reading Jellicoe