Australian History

In Australian history has parallels with Canadian. Colonization by the British Empire, the subjugation of aboriginal people, and subsequent multicultural immigration has shaped Australian society. Melina Marchetta writes about coming of age in Looking for Alibrandi, introducing us to a young woman torn between pride in her Italian heritage and her desire to be considered an Aussie. The extended Italian family is usually an important source of support, yet for Josephine Alibrandi and her mother, there is an uneasy relationship with Josie's grandmother in particular. Conflict between three generations of strong-willed women is portrayed with sympathy for all sides. Josie's mother never married, which is on the surface of the family rift, al- though there are older secrets buried.
For years, Josie and her mother were a family of two. Josie is in her final year of high school when she meets her father for the first time. Josie is starting to date boys at the same time as her mother is al...