I once read this book for my eighth grade English class (then watched the movie, as we were want to do in English classes), and I really enjoyed it back then. So, picking it up again, I was a little nervous. I know that Melina Marchetta is an excellent writer, and that On the Jellicoe Road was a stunning book, but there's always a little hesitation when I read something I read as a child. What if I don't identify with the characters anymore? What if it wasn't as well-written as I remember? What if the reviewers giving the book four or more stars are out of their minds and can't recognise huge plot holes and lazy writing? Fortunately, Marchetta's writing was up to scratch and I enjoyed Looking for Alibrandi as much or even more than I did the first time. 
 I found myself really identifying with certain facets of Josie's character, even though my life has only ever been slightly similar. My being born out of wedlock has never hampered my life, but I really related to the disdain she originally felt for her father. Also, one of the large plot twists near the end of the book really hit home for me, as something very similar has happened in my life just recently. So, naturally, this book brought me to tears, though it was more from corresponding circumstances than from the actual story. 
 I think Looking for Alibrandi is a refreshing story of a young woman coming to terms with life and adulthood, all the while searching for herself in her torn family and the Australian Italian community. I'm sure I recommended it to everyone when I first read it, and I'm definitely going to do it again.