Melina Marchetta's writing succeeds in engaging adolescent readers. Marchetta's novels Looking for Alibrandi and Saving Francesca have a strong appeal because they allow adolescents to connect with them on a number of levels. They take adolescent readers into familiar worlds with characters they can recognise. The novels also explore issues and experiences which speak to adolescents. She is able to combine these elements into stories which are told in a lively, entertaining way.

Firstly, Marchetta sets her novels in worlds and times that are largely familiar to adolescents, which increases their appeal. Looking for Alibrandi takes place in contemporary inner Sydney, and focuses in particular on Josie, the main character's school, home and Italian community. Typical of the adolescent world in the novel is Josie's school-life in St. Martha's, a Catholic girls' school which she attends. Josie feels resented and intimidated because she does not come from a...