ascination is the best word to describe teenager’s reading about themselves in a novel on the adolescent mind or a coming of age story. But why are they so hooked, so attracted, you may ask? It is the aspect of relatability that attracts them, the fact that it is relevant to every one of them as they go on their path to find their way. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta is the story of Josie Alibrandi on her quest to self-discovery in her final year of school. The recipient of The Children’s Book of the Year and the Bilby Award asks the questions of who am I? Where am I? Where am, I going? How do I get there? The questions that all teenagers ask themselves. It is this relevant approach that attracts the adolescent mind, to see and understand through the eyes of the protagonist Josie as she looks for Alibrandi which ultimately is herself.
Marchetta captures the effects of ethnicity, pressure, family issues and maturation on Josie as she goes on her path, which consequently draws the attention of the readers. However, it is the discerning use of ethnic separation as Josie is caught between two cultures that truly illustrates Josie finding acceptance of her grandmother …show more content…
Maybe it’s the author’s heritage and knowledge or the ethical issues in it. Or even the way the story is told using a character in her last year of school and following the development as she finally finds her way. Ultimately it is Josie’s character development from being feisty and stubborn to humble and honest that gives the novel its stature and reputation. She realises that she is herself and only herself “an Australian with Italian blood flowing through [her] veins”. (pg.259). She ultimately accepts herself, her heritage and culture; because finally, she “understood” (pg.261). It is Josie’s realisation that gives pearls of wisdom to other young adults as they pave their own way to
Marchetta captures the effects of ethnicity, pressure, family issues and maturation on Josie as she goes on her path, which consequently draws the attention of the readers. However, it is the discerning use of ethnic separation as Josie is caught between two cultures that truly illustrates Josie finding acceptance of her grandmother …show more content…
Maybe it’s the author’s heritage and knowledge or the ethical issues in it. Or even the way the story is told using a character in her last year of school and following the development as she finally finds her way. Ultimately it is Josie’s character development from being feisty and stubborn to humble and honest that gives the novel its stature and reputation. She realises that she is herself and only herself “an Australian with Italian blood flowing through [her] veins”. (pg.259). She ultimately accepts herself, her heritage and culture; because finally, she “understood” (pg.261). It is Josie’s realisation that gives pearls of wisdom to other young adults as they pave their own way to