Melina Marchettová Books

The second in Melina Marchetta's epic fantasy trilogy, set in a menacing kingdom and perfect for Game of Thrones fans.

Taylor Markham is an unconventional leader at Jellicoe School, known for her erratic behavior and lack of social skills. Despite her shortcomings, her long-term residency at the school gives her an edge as tensions rise between the boarders, townies, and the newly arrived cadets led by the notorious Jonah Griggs. As the territory wars reignite, Taylor grapples with personal mysteries, including a prayer tree, a hermit’s whispers, and a drawing that stirs memories at the local police station. Her quest to uncover her past intensifies when Hannah, the woman who found her, mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind an unfinished manuscript about five kids whose lives intertwined two decades earlier on Jellicoe Road. The narrative unfolds with a blend of intrigue and emotional depth, showcasing the complexity of Taylor's journey and the connections that bind the characters across time. Critics praise the novel for its sophisticated storytelling, evocative prose, and the author’s talent for crafting compelling characters. Readers find themselves deeply immersed, with some even losing track of time while reading.

Finnikin reluctantly joins forces against the imposter who has ruled Lumatere for years with an enigmatic young novice who claims that her dark dreams will lead them to a surviving royal child and a way to regain the throne.

Before there was Eleanor and Park, there was Francesca and Will. A compelling story of romance, family, and friendship, with humor and heart, perfect for fans of If I Stay, The Spectacular Now, and Looking for Alaska. Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastian’s, a boys' school that pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom. Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an impossibly dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas, who specializes in musical burping, to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can't seem to stop thinking about. Then there's Francesca's mother, who always thinks she knows what's best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling of who she really is. Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life, and—hardest of all—herself. Melina Marchetta is the Printz-winning author of Jellicoe Road, as well as Looking for Alibrandi and Finnikin of the Rock.

During her senior year in a Catholic school in Sydney, Australia, seventeen-year-old Josie meets, and must contend with, the father she has never known. Suggested level: intermediate, secondary.