Looking for Alibrandi

Written by Melina Marchetta, Looking for Alibrandi is a popular Australian Young Adult novel about an Italian-Australian teenager, Josephine Alibrandi. Due to its themes of self identity, coming of age, teen romance and sexuality,  it is widely studied in Australian high schools.

A film adaptation was produced in 2000, starring Pia Miranda, Anthony La Paglia and Matthew Newton.


 * Ass Pull: At the very beginning of the book, Josie explains to Sister Gregory why she was reading a magazine in class by attempting to relate it to the topic her class is currently studying.
 * Betty and Veronica: A conventional one at the start with Josie as Archie and her two male love interests as Betty and Veronica..
 * Book Ends: The film opens and ends with "International Wog Day".
 * Chekhov's Gun: Josie and John write letters to each other, seal them and give them to each other. They promise not to open each other's note until after the HSC, but
 * Follow the Leader: The works of Irini Saviddes are remarkably similar, being written by an English teacher and featuring second generation immigrant girls coming of age, as does the book Wogaluccis. It is likely that this has more to do with publishers realising these themes are marketable, rather than these books being intentionally derivative.
 * Strange Minds Think Alike: In the film, upon finding out that Josie has a boyfriend, her parents independently ask if he has a car. This leads her to realise where she was conceived.
 * Tear Jerker: and the aftermath is absolutely heartwrenching.
 * Teen Pregnancy: Josie's mother gave birth to her as an unmarried teenager.
 * The Un-Reveal: John and Josie exchange sealed letters about their hopes for the future.  Averted then played straight in the movie, where she does read the letter,
 * Write What You Know: The book is highly prized by Australian readers because it resonates with their own experiences in High School. Marchetta was quite young when she wrote Looking for Alibrandi, and is currently a High School English teacher.