Looking for Alibrarndi

Machetta, M. (1992). Looking for Alibrandi. Victoria, Australia; Penguin Books.

This is a story of Josephine Alibrandi, a seventeen year old, in her final year at high school. During the year, she is in a constant turmoil; she meets her father who has never known her existence, falls in love, discovers Nonna's secret and loses one of her best freind. In the end, Josie has got a more mature perspective toward her life and the world and become more assured about who she really is.

What makes this story memorable is the main character---vivacious and full of life Josephine. She is smart, passionate and never at a loss with words. However, she is in a constant state of anger with her life. She feels herself a misfit or a rebel at her prestigious private Catholic school, as she is not only on scholarship but also an illegitimate child. Even at home, she struggles with her strict mum and ever-meddling Nonna. Her Catholic upbringing and Italian family value do not go with the life of typical Australian teenagers.

A delightful story that still touches several serious issues that teenagers can face and have to overcome. Warning: There's an issue of teen depression and suicide. However, the positive closing of the story will surely chase away any gloom.

How to build a house

Reinhardt, D. (2008). How to build a house. New York, NY : Wendy Lamb Books.

Harper is in flight.

She badly needs a fresh start from emotional devastation brought upon by her father's divorce from her stepmother, Jane, the only mum she has ever known and consequently by her loss of Tess, her step-sister. She decides to escape by joining a volunteering programme to build a house for a family in Tenesseee who lost their home in a tornado. While she is helping a family to pick up pieces of their life after a tornado and move on forwards, Harper also comes to terms with her father's divorce and its consequent emotional devastation.

What makes me interested is the structure of the story. It is broken down into smaller parts referred to here and home, following Harper's stream of consciousness.  

My Sister's Keeper

Picouldt, J. (2004). My sister's keeper. New York,NY : Atria Books.

A thought provoking story of 13-year-old Anna.

Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate, her older sister. Since she was born, Anna has undergone through countless surgeries and transfusions to keep Kate alive. She has never questioned about her life and her role in her family as her sister's keeper until she makes a decision that will tear her family apart and most likely lose her beloved sister. She sues her parents to get medical emancipation when she is expected to donate a kidney to Kate.

A very engaging story with a suprise ending.

If you want to know about the author's thoughts on My Sister's Keeper, click to this link.
http://www.jodipicoult.com/my-sisters-keeper.html

Along for the ride

Dessen, S. (2009). Along for the ride. New York, NY: Viking.

This is a story of Auden who visits her father's new family before she starts university, make friends with local girls and boys and falls in love with Eli, a boy who has to overcome the traumatic loss of his best friend.

While she is challenged by new friends, conflicts between her father and step-mum and new responsibilities of being a big sister to Thisbe, she comes to realise what she has missed so far: to have a care-free childhood. With the help of Maggie and Eli, she can face the challenges and finally feel more assured about who she is and who she would like to be in her relationship with her parents and the others.

Through the main characater Auden, a sensitive girl who has pre-matured before her age, due to her immature and self-centred parents and their unhappy marriage and divorce, Dessen makes us think about the role of parents, the importance of happy childhood, lost opportunities, etc.

Sarah Dessen is a well renowned, prolific writer of YA novels. You can find more information on her and her books on her blog  http://sarahdessen.com/blog/ .