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Looking for Alibrandi
  • Published: 14 July 2026
  • ISBN: 9781761624520
  • Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $27.99

Looking for Alibrandi

Formats & editions
Paperback
5 Oct 1992
Hardback
14 July 2026
Hardback
18 Oct 2022
EBook
1 Dec 1993
Audiobook
14 July 2026
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The beloved novel of identity and belonging as a beautiful clothbound hardback, part of the Penguin Modern Australian Classics series

Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen and in her final year at a wealthy girls' school. This is the year she meets her father, the year she falls in love, and the year she discovers family secrets that will finally set her free.
The story of Josephine is strong and enduring, and Melina Marchetta’s voice is honest, pure and timeless. Looking for Alibrandi will engage the heart and stay there forever.
  • Published: 14 July 2026
  • ISBN: 9781761624520
  • Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $27.99
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About the author

Melina Marchetta

Melina Marchetta is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author in more than twenty countries and eighteen languages. Her eighteen books range from beloved young adult fiction and fantasy through to contemporary and crime fiction, and works for younger readers. Her much-loved Australian classic Looking for Alibrandi swept the pool of literary awards when it was published, and was also released as a film, adapted by Marchetta, winning an AFI Award and an Independent Film Award for best screenplay, as well as the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Award and the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award. In 2009 Marchetta won the prestigious Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association. Her most recent novel is The Place on Dalhousie. She lives in Sydney.
portrait photo of Melina Marchetta

Also by Melina Marchetta

Zola and the Christmas Lights
What Zola Did on Sunday
What Zola Did on Saturday
What Zola Did on Friday
What Zola Did on Thursday
What Zola Did on Wednesday
What Zola Did on Tuesday
See all

Awards & recognition

REAL Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  2001  •  Fiction for Older Readers

BILBY Children's Choice Awards

Winner  •  2000  •  Older Readers

BILBY Children's Choice Awards

Winner  •  1995  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

WAYRBA Children's Choice Awards

Winner  •  1994  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

BILBY Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  1994  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

CROW Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  1994  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

YABBA Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  1994  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

3M Talking Book Award-NSW

Winner  •  1993  •  Talking Book

KOALA Children's Choice Awards

Winner  •  1993  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

BILBY Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  1993  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

KROC Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  1993  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

Discover more

Article
Why everyone is obsessed with Melina Marchetta (again)

Melina Marchetta is having a moment in 2022. Find out what the author has been doing and learn about recent developments regarding her beloved debut novel, Looking for Alibrandi.

Video
What Zola Did on Saturday by Melina Marchetta and Deb Hudson | Book trailer

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/what-zola-did-on-saturday-9781760895211 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! #WhatZolaDidonSaturday #MelinaMarchetta #DebHudson

Article
Looking for Alibrandi

Looking for Alibrandi

Teachers' notes
Looking for Alibrandi