New Releases by Melina Marchetta

Celebrate community, kindness, hope and all the wonder of the festive season in a heartwarming Christmas picture book from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi Melina Marchetta and joyous illustrator Deb Hudson. Celebrate the wonder of Christmas in this heartwarming picture book from the bestselling and award-winning author of Looking for Alibrandi, Melina Marchetta, together with talented and joyous illustrator Deb Hudson. This year, Zola and Alessandro are going to decorate the street with Nonno Nino''s Christmas lights. Zola''s house and Boomerang Street haven''t had Christmas lights for two years. But this year, Zola and Alessandro want to continue the tradition. They''ve learned a lot about tradition lately - and how some families have different beliefs, and others celebrate Christmas differently. And with the help of their family and friends, this Christmas Boomerang Street is going to shine!

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, friendship and kindness from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief and humour, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers. Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Sunday, when it’s St Odo’s fete and Zola and the gang join in the fun . . . Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week! ''A charming series that will enchant all who read it.’ The Book Muse ‘Bursting with warmth, family love, troublesome dogs, and growing things . . . perfect for beginning readers . . . Zola is such a delightful, thoughtful, and slightly mischievous character.’ Aussie Kids Books ‘There is a rich diversity in families with single parents, same-sex parents, multi-generational families and different cultures . . . Perfect for newly independent readers or for class or home read-alouds, I highly recommend this for little humans from around 6 years upwards.’ Sue Warren A beautiful big family, cousins living in the house behind you, a hole in the fence for you to climb through and play. A beautiful street, a community of people you love . . . a neglected garden that everyone has forgotten . . . a beautiful junior novel about family and community. . . It truly does warm your heart as you read it . . . It’s absolutely stunning!’ Kids Book Review ‘Early readers aged 5–7 are very fortunate to now have a Melina Marchetta story just for them.’ Angela Crocombe, Books + Publishing

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, friendship and kindness from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief and humour, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers. Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Saturday, when it’s tomato day at Nonna Rosa’s and Zola is helping out . . . Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week! ''A charming series that will enchant all who read it.’ The Book Muse ‘Bursting with warmth, family love, troublesome dogs, and growing things . . . perfect for beginning readers . . . Zola is such a delightful, thoughtful, and slightly mischievous character.’ Aussie Kids Books ‘There is a rich diversity in families with single parents, same-sex parents, multi-generational families and different cultures . . . Perfect for newly independent readers or for class or home read-alouds, I highly recommend this for little humans from around 6 years upwards.’ Sue Warren A beautiful big family, cousins living in the house behind you, a hole in the fence for you to climb through and play. A beautiful street, a community of people you love . . . a neglected garden that everyone has forgotten . . . a beautiful junior novel about family and community. . . It truly does warm your heart as you read it . . . It’s absolutely stunning!’ Kids Book Review ‘Early readers aged 5–7 are very fortunate to now have a Melina Marchetta story just for them.’ Angela Crocombe, Books + Publishing

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, friendship and kindness from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief and humour, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers. Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Friday, when she and Alessandro decide to paint Nonno Nino’s little yellow boat . . . Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week! ''A charming series that will enchant all who read it.’ The Book Muse ‘Highly recommended . . . Full of humour and brimming with the close ties of family, [and] . . . community, children will love reading of Zola and her life.’ Fran Knight

A wonderful children’s series celebrating community, sustainability, diversity and family from the bestselling author of Looking for Alibrandi. Fun, heartwarming stories full of mischief, humour and feeling, sure to charm and engage newly independent young readers. Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble. Like on Thursday, when she and the gang form a band and upset their cranky neighbour, Mr Walton . . . Collect all seven stories in the series – one for every day of the week! ‘Highly recommended . . . Full of humour and brimming with the close ties of family, [and] . . . community, children will love reading of Zola and her life.’ Fran Knight ''I don’t know about you but I am getting incredibly fond of Zola and her neighbourhood. This little series is just truly delightful and I know that little readers must love being able to make connections with their own family, friends, schools and communities . . . Your newly independent readers both boys and girls will just adore these stories and they would make fabulous read-alouds for either classroom teachers or teacher-librarians paired with some activities and action plans. Highly recommended for little readers from around six years upwards.’ Sue Warren

Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble! Like on Wednesday, when Zola has a plan to help find her friend Sophia’s missing turtle . . . Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week.

Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble! Like on Tuesday, when Zola tries to help Nonna knit a scarf . . . Collect all seven stories in the series. One for every day of the week.

Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her nonna. Every day of the week is an adventure. But Zola has a problem. No matter how much she tries, she can''t keep out of trouble! Collect all seven stories in the series – one for every day of the week.

When Rosie Gennaro first meets Jimmy Hailler, she has walked away from life in Sydney, leaving behind the place on Dalhousie that her father, Seb, painstakingly rebuilt for his family but never saw completed. Two years later, Rosie returns to the house and living there is Martha, whom Seb Gennaro married less than a year after the death of Rosie''s mother. Martha is struggling to fulfil Seb''s dream, while Rosie is coming to terms with new responsibilities. And so begins a stand-off between two women who refuse to move out of the home they both lay claim to. As the battle lines are drawn, Jimmy Hailler re-enters Rosie''s life. Having always watched other families from the perimeters, he''s now grappling, heartbreakingly, with forming one of his own ...

Josephine Alibrandi berumur tujuh belas tahun, duduk di bangku terakhir SMU. Hidup bersama ibunya yang single parent dan nenek yang kuno dan kolot yang bikin sakit kepala, belum lagi melakukan persiapan untuk menghadapi ujian akhir. Tapi itu belum apa-apa. Josie masih harus menghadapi kenyataan bahwa ternyata tidak semua rencana yang disusunnya dengan begitu saksama dapat terwujud seluruhnya. Tanpa terduga dia harus menghadapi kenyataan bertemu dengan ayahnya untuk pertama kalinya seumur hidup, jatuh cinta, dan membongkar rahasia keluarganya di masa lalu. Terlepas dari semua kekalutan itu, tahun ini pula Josie belajar memahami bahwa kebebasan bukan berarti melupakan masa lalu. Ada kalanya, kau harus menjadi diri sendiri untuk dapat membebaskan dirimu… Looking for Alibrandi adalah novel yang sangat populer dan telah memenangkan berbagai penghargaan, termasuk Children`s Book of the Year Award for Older Readers tahun 1993, Multicultural Book of the Year Award tahun 1993, Variety Club Young People`s Category of the 3M Talking Book of the Year Award tahun 1993, serta sejumlah penghargaan lain. Novel ini juga mencatat kemenangan di Fairlight Talking Book Awards tahun 2000 sebagai buku yang paling keras menyuarakan isu-isu remaja dan lintas budaya dalam 10 tahun terakhir.

Francesca Spinelli pusing berat karena ibunya tiba-tiba depresi, kehilangan semangat hidup, dan hampir tidak mau turun dari tempat tidur. Keluarganya terancam berantakan, apalagi ayahnya tampak pasif dan menganggap sepele masalah itu. Satu-satunya hiburan bagi Francesca adalah Will Trombal, cowok keren yang dia taksir. Namun, dia malah makin sedih saat tahu ternyata Will sudah punya pacar. Francesca jadi merasa galau dan kesepian. Apalagi dia merasa tidak cocok dengan teman-teman di sekolah barunya. Teman-teman lamanya yang keren dan selalu dapat dia andalkan, sekarang semakin menjauh. Dia sulit bergaul dan merasa terkucil. Semuanya membuat Francesca tidak tahan lagi. Siapa yang bisa menolongnya? Atau, dia hanya perlu membuka mata dan melihat bahwa justru orang-orang yang dia anggap remehlah yang justru menyayanginya? Eksplorasi yang sangat dalam tentang kedewasaan, jati diri, keluarga, dan persahabatan.

In the wake of a devastating bombing, a father risks everything to find out who was responsible. When Bish Ortley, a recently suspended cop, receives word that a bus carrying his daughter has been bombed, he rushes to be by her side. A suspect has already been named: a 17-year-old girl who has since disappeared from the scene. The press has now revealed that she is the youngest member of one of London''s most notorious families. Years earlier, they were implicated in an attack that left dozens dead. Has the girl decided to follow in their footsteps? To find her, Bish must earn the trust of her friends and family, including her infamous mother, now serving a life sentence in prison. But even as he delves into the deadly bus attack that claimed five lives, the ghosts of older crimes become impossible to ignore. A gripping fusion of literary suspense and family drama, Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil is a fast-paced puzzle of a novel that will keep reader feverishly turning pages. "More than a crime story; it''s jam-packed with family drama and heartbreak. Highly recommended for suspense and mystery fans." -- Library Journal

An ebook bundle of all three books in The Lumatere Chronicles - Finnikin of the Rock, Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn. From internationally best-selling and award-winning author Melina Marchetta. Finnikin of the Rock Finnikin has not been home to his beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was brutally murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then he is summoned to meet Evanjalin, an enigmatic young woman who claims the heir to the throne still lives. She is determined to return home and Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. But the truth will test Finnikin''s faith in Evanjalin . . . and in himself. Froi of the Exiles Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has finally found his home in Lumatere . . . or so he believes. But when he is sent on a dark and secretive mission to the rival kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds in its surreal royal court. In this dangerous place he must unravel the mysteries of a half-mad princess . . . and discover the truth before it is too late. Quintana of Charyn Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child''s right to rule. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face-to-face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other. A dramatic conclusion to Printz Award--winner Melina Marchetta''s epic fantasy trilogy. Praise for The Lumatere Chronicles ''A wonderful story full of hauntingly vivid characters and landscapes . . . this is addictive, highly recommended reading.'' Sydney Morning Herald ''Dark and beautiful and utterly believable.'' Kristin Cashore, author of Graceling,Fire and Bitterblue ''Magic, romance, intrigue, and adventure all play their parts as this dense, intricate epic unfolds, and flawed, memorable heroes fight for their kingdom''s redemption.''Publishers Weekly (starred review) ''Finnikin is a ripping fantastical adventure. In a word: marvellous.'' Herald Sun

Internationally bestselling and award-winning author Melina Marchetta weaves an accomplished and breathtaking blend of love, suspense and adventure in this unforgettable final volume in her epic fantasy series, The Lumatere Chronicles. Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child''s right to rule. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face-to-face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other. A dramatic conclusion to Printz Award--winner Melina Marchetta''s epic fantasy trilogy. Praise for Quintana of Charyn: ''Marchetta, known for her mastery of character, shows herself here to have conquered the intricacies of plot, worldbuilding and theme...Readers will have a hard time forgetting the complex, deeply human characters that populate this multifaceted narrative.'' Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ''[T]he book will mesmerize readers with several hair-raising moments that ratchet up tension; memorably detailed descriptions provide vivid images of the setting; and Marchetta''s themes of belonging and forgiveness are powerfully wrought. Fans of Megan Whelan Turner and Elizabeth Wein should find this exceptional series especially compelling.'' The Horn Book ''Like the other books, this one begs to be read slowly and savored for its carefully crafted plotting, lyrical language, and fully fleshed-out characters.'' School Library Journal ''Marchetta triumphantly concludes the trilogy that began with Finnikin of the Rock, as the kingdoms of Lumatere and Charyn attempt to bridge past atrocities through a new generation of leaders...One of the hallmarks of this series has been the complexity and attention Marchetta gives to both primary and secondary characters, creating a richly human cast of damaged but noble individuals...Readers who have fallen in love with Quintana, Froi, Finnikin, Isaboe, and others will eagerly seek out what fate has in store for them.'' Publishers Weekly (starred review) ''The plot is more straightforward, while the previous volumes'' excellent features - world-building, plotting, and characterization - continue to shine. Marchetta builds on the reader''s knowledge of this world, adding rich sensory details to enhance the sense of place...A stand-out fantasy series.'' Booklist (starred review) ''Recommend this book for readers of high-brow, realistic fantasy who enjoy stories with just a touch of the magical.'' VOYA ''All I can say is, I immediately reread it because I didn''t want to say good-bye to these people. And it''s a Favorite Book Read in 2013.'' A Chair, A Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy (SLJ blog) ''[T]hose who have read the first two volumes of the Lumatere Chronicles will find this thrilling conclusion both heartbreaking and utterly satisfying. Yet again, Marchetta seamlessly weaves together the personal and the political, exploring the larger societal implications of her characters'' actions while keeping a tight focus on their emotional lives. The obstacles in the relationships among her main characters mirror the tensions built by prejudices and ignorance throughout their lands, and the setbacks they experience as they work toward peace, both as a community and as individuals, are painfully authentic. The romances are sweet but tempered by reality, the triumphs are great but leave many scars, and even the ... ending here is bittersweet in its resolution. It''s a suitably impressive conclusion to an epic series.'' Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books

I''m beginning to realise that things don''t turn our the way you want them to. And sometimes when they don''t, they can turn out just a little bit better. Every so often, there comes a story so brilliant and lively and moving that it cannot be left in the past. Rediscover the magic of our country''s most memorable children''s books in the Penguin Australia Children''s Classics series of stories too precious to leave behind.

Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen, and in her final year of school. Dealing with her mum and the ways of her Nonna are daunting enough as she prepares for her exams. But Josie is about to discover real life gets in the way of her carefully-made plans. Winner of Children''s Book Council Queensland BILBY Awards: Older Reader 2000.

Developing a warrior''s discipline in the years after the Lumatere curse is lifted, Froi is sent on a secret mission to the kingdom of Charyn, where unexpected encounters compel him to unravel dark kinships in order to solve the mystery of a half-mad princess.

The award-winning author of Finnikin of the Rock and Jellicoe Road pens a raw, compelling novel about a family’s hard-won healing on the other side of trauma. (Age 14 and up) Award-winning author Melina Marchetta reopens the story of the group of friends from her acclaimed novel Saving Francesca - but five years have passed, and now it’s Thomas Mackee who needs saving. After his favorite uncle was blown to bits on his way to work in a foreign city, Tom watched his family implode. He quit school and turned his back on his music and everyone that mattered, including the girl he can’t forget. Shooting for oblivion, he’s hit rock bottom, forced to live with his single, pregnant aunt, work at the Union pub with his former friends, and reckon with his grieving, alcoholic father. Tom’s in no shape to mend what’s broken. But what if no one else is either? An unflinching look at family, forgiveness, and the fierce inner workings of love and friendship, The Piper’s Son redefines what it means to go home again.

Finnikin reluctantly joins forces against the imposter who has ruled Lumatere for years with an enigmatic young novice who claims that her dark dreams will lead them to a surviving royal child and a way to regain the throne.

Beyond the basketball courts and classrooms of St Raph''s is a gully where everything disappears forever. Danny Griggs has heard stories about a creature that lives down there. So why does he volunteer to face the Gorgon when he''s been petrified of everything all his life? A gentle story about overcoming fear and looking at things from all angles, from much-loved and best-selling author Melina Marchetta.

Before there was Eleanor and Park, there was Francesca and Will. A compelling story of romance, family, and friendship, with humor and heart, perfect for fans of If I Stay, The Spectacular Now, and Looking for Alaska. Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastian’s, 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 an impossibly dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas, who specializes in musical burping, to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can''t seem to stop thinking about. Then there''s Francesca''s mother, who always thinks she knows what''s best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling of who she really is. Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life, and—hardest of all—herself. Melina Marchetta is the Printz-winning author of Jellicoe Road, as well as Looking for Alibrandi and Finnikin of the Rock.

Taylor Markham is not a popular choice. She is erratic, has no people skills and never turns up to meetings. Not to mention the incident when she ran off in search of her mother and only got halfway there. But she''s lived at Jellicoe School most of her life and as leader of the boarders that''s her greatest asset. Especially now the cadets, led by the infamous Jonah Griggs, have arrived. The territory wars between the boarders, townies and cadets are about to recommence. But Taylor has other things on her mind: a prayer tree, the hermit who whispered in her ear, and a vaguely familiar drawing in the local police station. Taylor wants to understand the mystery of her own past. But Hannah, the woman who found her, has suddenly disappeared, leaving nothing but an unfinished manuscript about five kids whose lives entwined twenty years ago on the Jellicoe Road . . .