Books with author Marcella Russo

Growing up in Brisbane in the 1970s and 80s, Zoë Boccabella knew if you wanted to fit in, you did not bottle tomatoes, have plastic on the hallway carpet or a glory box of Italian linens. Though she tried to be like "everyone else," refusing to learn Italian and even dyeing her dark hair blonde, Zoë couldn’t shake the unsettling sense of feeling "half-and-half"—half Australian, mezza italiana—unable to fit fully into either culture, or merge the two.Years later, she travels to her family’s ancestral village of Fossa in Abruzzo and discovers a place that is the stuff of fairy tales—medieval castles, mystics, dark forests, serpent charmers, and witches. As Zoë stays in the house that has belonged to her family for centuries, the village casts its spell. She begins to realise the preciousness of her heritage as the stories, recipes, and traditions of her extended Italian family become a treasured part of her life. Then, the earthquake hits.…

Growing up in Brisbane in the 1970s and 80s, Zoë Boccabella knew if you wanted to fit in, you did not bottle tomatoes, have plastic on the hallway carpet or a glory box of Italian linens. Though she tried to be like "everyone else," refusing to learn Italian and even dyeing her dark hair blonde, Zoë couldn’t shake the unsettling sense of feeling "half-and-half"—half Australian, mezza italiana—unable to fit fully into either culture, or merge the two.Years later, she travels to her family’s ancestral village of Fossa in Abruzzo and discovers a place that is the stuff of fairy tales—medieval castles, mystics, dark forests, serpent charmers, and witches. As Zoë stays in the house that has belonged to her family for centuries, the village casts its spell. She begins to realise the preciousness of her heritage as the stories, recipes, and traditions of her extended Italian family become a treasured part of her life. Then, the earthquake hits.…

Growing up in Brisbane in the 1970s and 80s, Zoë Boccabella knew if you wanted to fit in, you did not bottle tomatoes, have plastic on the hallway carpet or a glory box of Italian linens. Though she tried to be like "everyone else," refusing to learn Italian and even dyeing her dark hair blonde, Zoë couldn’t shake the unsettling sense of feeling "half-and-half"—half Australian, mezza italiana—unable to fit fully into either culture, or merge the two.Years later, she travels to her family’s ancestral village of Fossa in Abruzzo and discovers a place that is the stuff of fairy tales—medieval castles, mystics, dark forests, serpent charmers, and witches. As Zoë stays in the house that has belonged to her family for centuries, the village casts its spell. She begins to realise the preciousness of her heritage as the stories, recipes, and traditions of her extended Italian family become a treasured part of her life. Then, the earthquake hits.…

Growing up in Brisbane in the 1970s and 80s, Zoë Boccabella knew if you wanted to fit in, you did not bottle tomatoes, have plastic on the hallway carpet or a glory box of Italian linens. Though she tried to be like "everyone else," refusing to learn Italian and even dyeing her dark hair blonde, Zoë couldn’t shake the unsettling sense of feeling "half-and-half"—half Australian, mezza italiana—unable to fit fully into either culture, or merge the two.Years later, she travels to her family’s ancestral village of Fossa in Abruzzo and discovers a place that is the stuff of fairy tales—medieval castles, mystics, dark forests, serpent charmers, and witches. As Zoë stays in the house that has belonged to her family for centuries, the village casts its spell. She begins to realise the preciousness of her heritage as the stories, recipes, and traditions of her extended Italian family become a treasured part of her life. Then, the earthquake hits.…

Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen, and in her final year of school. Dealing with her mum and the ways of her Nonna are daunting enough as she prepares for her exams. But Josie is about to discover real life gets in the way of her carefully made plans. She suddenly has to deal with having her father around for the first time in her life, falling in love and uncovering her family's secret background. Despite all the turmoil, this is the year Josie discovers that emancipation doesn't mean escaping from your past.

Josephine Alibrandi is 17, and in her final year of school. Dealing with her mum and the ways of her Nonna are daunting enough as she prepares for her exams. But Josie is about to discover real life gets in the way of her carefully-made plans. She suddenly has to deal with having her father around for the first time in her life, falling in love and uncovering her family's secret background. Despite all the turmoil, this is the year Josie discovers that emancipation doesn't mean escaping from your past. Sometimes you need to face up to who you are in order to set yourself free.

Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen, and in her final year of school. Dealing with her mum and the ways of her Nonna are daunting enough as she prepares for her exams. But Josie is about to discover real life gets in the way of her carefully made plans. She suddenly has to deal with having her father around for the first time in her life, falling in love and uncovering her family's secret background. Despite all the turmoil, this is the year Josie discovers that emancipation doesn't mean escaping from your past.

Josephine Alibrandi is seventeen, and in her final year of school. Dealing with her mum and the ways of her Nonna are daunting enough as she prepares for her exams. But Josie is about to discover real life gets in the way of her carefully made plans. She suddenly has to deal with having her father around for the first time in her life, falling in love and uncovering her family's secret background. Despite all the turmoil, this is the year Josie discovers that emancipation doesn't mean escaping from your past.