Alibrandi
Chapter
Notes
Lillie, Olivia, Ella -Chapters 1-4
Chapter 1:Josephine finds it difficult to be a good student. Sera and Lee and are introduced as
one of Josephine's friends. Josephine gets into trouble with a sister. Josephine wants to study law
and is in her last year of St martha's. Josephine and her mum live in Glebe, Sydney. She sees
nonna a lot. Her mum and nonna don't get along very well. her mum is strict with her. shes italian.
Her mother got pregnant out of wedlock because her catholic upbringing prohibited contraception.
Her italian family are strict on her. She doesn't like going to her nonna's place.
Chapter 2: Anna is introduced as a friend. Jozzie got an english scholarship. she likes socialising
with friends and is on her school's debate team. Anna is the nervous friend, Sera is the brazien
friend and Lee is the rebel drugie. Lee's father is an alcoholic. Jozzie got into trouble again by a
sister for being out too late this shows that jozzie pushed boundaries. Jacob Coote is introduced,
he was sitting next to her at the debate and in year 10 him and his friends threw egs and rotten
fruit at a group of girls Jozzie was with.
Chapter 3 and 4
Chapter 3: Jozzie has a cousin called Robert. Jozzies mum Christina is a single mum. Nonna
doesnt understand the younger generation and the australians, shes all about the italian tradition.
Nonna thinks there's no respect with the youth of today. Nonna's always bagging Christina about
how badly she parents Jozzie. Michael Andretti knocks on her Nonnas door and her Nonna
doesnt know who it is but Jozzie does and shes quite shocked at his appearance.
Chapter 4: John Barton is introduced as Josephines love of her life. Hes going to do law and
politics because his father, grandfather and great grandfather were all politicians. Josephine
claims she could write a book about her pressures. She got asked on to the debating team when
one of the other girls left and thats how she met John. Josephine and Anna got a job at
McDonalds.
Quotes
Chapter 1: "I promised myself I would be a saint for this year alone,I would make the greatest
impression on my teachers and become the model student. I knew it would fail but not on the first
day." - Josephine
I'm in my last year of high school at Saint Marthas which is situated in the eastern suburbs, and
next year I plan to study law". - Josephine
Chapter 2: For two days i just couldn't help thinking about my father. i felt sick at the idea of
meeting him, though at the same time i desperately wanted to. - Josephine
Lee and i have a weird relationship. we pretend we have nothing in common, yet we can talk for
hours on any subject- Josephine
Then there's seraphina. Its pretty difficult describing her. She has to be the most brazen person i
have ever met.- Josephine.
Quotes
Chapter 3: A daughter's behaviour always reflects on how good a mother is. - Nonna Katia
I am an old woman now and i deserve respect. - Nonna Katia
My mother had been estranged from her family for years after my birth.- Josephine
Sometimes i feel sorry for her. I think that my birth must have cut her like a knife and i feel as if
shes never forgiven Mama, - Josephine
You are without respect, Jozzie.- Nonna
Well i guess that means you did a pretty hopeless job as a mother because look at the life your
daughter ended up with- Josephine
Chapter 4: Its the honesty and realness about him that I love. -Josephine
I havent got any pressures? I could write a book about them -Josephine
Could you imagine me not going into law and then politics? -John Barton
Farin, Simaima, Caitlin, Morgan - Chapter 5
-
Josephine goes to the regional dance with her friends Lee, Anna, and Sera, which she is really happy about as it is
on rare occasion that her mother allows her to go out.
The dance guests include: Josephines school St Martha's, St Anthony's, Cook High and a Presbyterian co-ed
private school.
Josephine desperately wants her crush, John Barton to ask her for her first dance. When John appears standing
with Ivy (Poison Ivy), who Josephine strongly despises she ends up being asked to dance with school captain of his
school, Jacob Coote. She had met Jacob previously at a speech competition.
Josephine introduces John and Jacob out by the cars after the dance and they dont seem to particularly like one
another. John tells Josephine that he wished they had danced but he just couldn't get away from Ivy. This pleased
Josephine as she knew that John hadnt avoided her on purpose.
Josephine gets a ride home with Jacob on his motorbike, which she is really embarrassed and worried about. Jacob
agrees to park his motorbike down the street from Josephine's house so that her mother wouldnt know about her
going on it. He then walks Josephine home before leaning in to kiss Josephine, although she pulls back,
embarrassing and angering him.
Farin, Simaima, Caitlin, Morgan - Chapter 6
-
Josephine has her second encounter with her father, Michael Andretti at her Nonna's house for a
family barbeque.
Josephine listens into her Mama and father's conversation in the kitchen. He speaks harshly of
Josephine saying that he will support her financially but doesn't want her in his life.
Josephine confronts to Michael later, getting increasingly more angry with him and telling him
exactly how she feels about his lack of presence in her childhood. They shake hands and agree to
stay out of each other's way in the future.
Josephine asks her mother what she dreamt of when she was seventeen and her mother admitted
it was Michael Andretti.
Farin, Simaima, Caitlin, Morgan - Chapter 7
-
Josephine stays at her Nonna's house whilst her mother goes to stay the night with a friend and
look after them.
Nonna tells Josephine stories about what it was like when she was young, how pretty she was, and
how different it was when she was young, to how it is now, giving Josephine a new perspective on
her grandmothers early life.
Josephine starts to wonder what actually happened to Nonna when she was seventeen, and if she
will turn out like her when shes sixty-five.
Farin, Simaima, Caitlin, Morgan - Chapter 8
-
Josephine arrives at school and overhears a popular girl named Carly saying rude things about Italians to her
friends.
Josephine ends up in a fight with Carly over her racist comments and throws her science book at Carly, breaking
her nose.
Josephine ends up in Sister Louises office with Carly, and Carlys father talking through the incident. Josephine
refuses to apologise and Carlys father says he'll take her to court. So in a panic says that she wants to call in her
father who is a barrister.
To her surprise, Josephine's father eventually arrives to Sister Louises office, but he doesn't appear happy about it.
After a private talk between Josephine and Carly's respective fathers, Carly's agrees not to press charges.
Josephine leaves the school with her father and feels proud to be next to him as she passes her class-mates in the
hallway.
Farin, Simaima, Caitlin, Morgan - Chapter 9
-
Josephine is called in to see Sister Louise as she wants to check up on her now knowing that her father is around.
When Josephine's mother arrives home she finds that Josephine and Nonna have prepared meatloaf.
She says she's going out and asks Nonna to look after Josephine for the night. Nonna becomes angry with her
saying that she needs to be with Josephine, and further insulting her as a bad mother.
Josephine also becomes infuriated with her as she doesn't like Paul Presilio, the man whom she is going out with,
and is adamant that he has nothing but selfish intentions.
Later that night Josephine feels sad and guilty about how she acted towards her mother. She felt like she didn't want
to take away the feeling that her mother got from going out, but she just didn't want him (Paul) want to be the one to
give her that feeling.
Quotes
Chapter 5:
"I wondered why he had danced with me when there were girls more suited to him in the room. I wondered if it was a dare or
something equally hideous. Because boys like Jacob Coote, who would easily be the most popular guy in his school, didn't ask
girls like me to dance". - Josephine Alibrandi
"I looked at his face which, although not as attractive as Jacob Coote's, was so earnest and honest. His copper hair was
slicked back with gel, making his cow-lick obscure. He was beautifully dressed in baggy beige pants and a paisley shirt.
Compared to Jacob Coote's black jeans, white shirt and what looked like his school tie, he looked like a million dollars". Josephine Alibrandi
"We're the same, you know. You're middle-class and I'm middle-class, except you're a middle-class snob who goes to an
upper-class school". - Jacob Coote
Chapter 6:
"I spent the whole morning looking at him. He looked at Mama. Mama looked at me. Then he would look at me. I would look at
Mama. She would look at him. In different circumstances, i'd be amused". - Josephine Alibrandi
"I don't want her. I do not want to see her. I do not want to love her. I do not want a complication in my life, Christina. I've
worked for fifteen years to get where I am now. I don't want this in my life". - Michael Andretti
Quotes
Chapter 7:
Oh, Jozzie, Jozzie, when I was your age I ran around my paese like a gypsy. A gypsy, Jozzie. People would say look at that
zingara, Katia Torello. - Nonna Katia
Chapter 8:
And youre more than a wog, if you know what I mean. - Carly
I had a very strong feeling that she meant my illegitimacy. God knows what possessed me, but having that science book in
my hand propelled me to immediate action. So I hit her with it. - Josephine Alibrandi
Brooke, Cameron, Jordy Chapter10,11,12,13
Chapter
10: Josie and her friend Anna are working the late shift at McDonalds when a guy named 'Greg
Sims' comes in. Josie remembers Greg Sims from what her and her mum call 'the horror years',(the time
where Josie had lived next to greg sims and his family. Greg is well known for being a bully and for
causing trouble. After work Josie and her friend Anna go out to the carpark and Greg sims and his gang
are sitting on Anna's car. Greg and his gang went on and harassed Josie and Anna, by taking her keys
and hat off of her and then Greg went on saying rude and inappropriate comments to the girls. Josie tried
to protest but Greg wouldn't back down.
Quotes
Chapter 10 Quotes: "Mama and I called our time living next door to the Simses the horror years.
Diva, Gina, Jemma - Chapter 18-21
Chapter 18 - Josie and Ivy have a fight over their ethnicity and where theyre from. They end up arguing
about their ancestors and eventually it moved to their relationship with John and how good of friends they
are to him. That afternoon Josie sees Jacob and shows her the new car he has. Its an old one that he
fixed up himself. They started talking about their future - jobs, marriage etc.
Chapter 19 - Josie and her family make tomato sauce. Robert and Josie call this Wog Day or National
Wog day
Chapter 20 Chapter 21 - John calls Josie and ask if she wants to go watch Macbeth with her. At the cinema they see
Jacob and he gets really jealous and angry at Josie that shes with John. Josie and Jacob get in a small
fight after the movie but end up forgiving each other for the events. They agree to go and see the movie
in the weekend together.
Quotes
Chapter 18 quotes
- Im of italian descent, thank you
-A car I screamed, oblivious of those around me.
- What would a fancy barrister want with a mechanic in business?
Jiho, Amber, Imagen, Tsai chapter 22
Chapter 22
In this chapter Josie and her mother Christina decide to splurge for the day. Whilst at lunch Josie and her
mum start talking about Josies trip with her dad, Michael. Even thow Christina has raised Josie, without
help from Michael she seems quite happy that he is in her daughter's life.They also talk about Christinas
past.
Quotes
Mama, you sound as if one of us was dying, for gods sake. I grumble about my life because im selfish,
not because you couldnt provide. For a one-parent family we are pretty perfect.
Chapter 23 - Amber
Chapter Summary
Quotes
Chapter 24 - Jiho
Chapter Summary
Quotes
Chapter 25
Chapter 25 - Josie, Nonna, Mama and Zia Patrizia and her family are discussing when Mama (Christina)
was concieved. Everyone goes home and Josie remembers her Nonna telling her stories of how lonely
and alone she was over the four months Nonno was away. Josie figures out that her Nonna had an affair
with Marcus Sandford while her nonno was away for 4 months over summer up north. Josie wonders
how life would be life for her and Mama if her Nonna had left Francesco and had married Marcus. Josie
says that she always dreamt of being someone really impressive and famous and wonders that if Nonna
married Marcus that maybe they couldve been someone like that. Josie realises that her and Mamas
whole life had been a lie, just like their names are lies.
Quotes
Our whole lives, just like our names, are lies.
I think ive always dreamt of being someone impressive and famous. Someone
people could sit back and envy. Growing up the granddaughter of Marcus Sandford, whoever he is today, could have brought em that
feeling.
Oh god Nonna, dont be a hypocrite. You were the one who told me about the four months you had to spend on your
own
I was shouting and she was crying, but i was to shocked to care.
Chapter 26
Chapter 26 - Josie is with her friends when she realises how Nonna wouldve felt in her situation. She
ditches her friends and catches the first bus that would take her to Nonnas place. Josies first reaction
when she sees Nonna is that she hugs her, tight, and after asks her why. Nonna explains to Josie how
young and carefree but also how lonely and alone she had felt during those 4 months that Nonno was
away. Nonna explained to Josie that Marcus was nice and caring and helped her speak their language.
She tells Josie that Nonno was unable to have kids and this is how he found out that it was not his child.
Nonna explains to Josie that Francesco would tolerate Christina but as soon as she would do something
bad he would hurt them. Nonna also explains to Josie that if she left Francesco that people would talk
badly about their family, but she says that people were already talking. Josie realises that she is
surrounded by strong women.
Quotes
...she answered i hugged her and like all Grandmothers and mothers and people who love you no matter what you do to them, she
hugged me back people tend to talk about us alot, eh?
I wish you would tell her. Shed understand so much
and i cried
because i was loved by two of the most strongest women i would ever meet in my lifetime
Matilda, Angela, Amy Chapters 14, 15, 16,
17
Chapter 14:Josie saw his friend John Barton when she was on her way to Sydney University. John complained his life that
he need to win everything because he has a high standard dad. Josie hope that John can be more cheerful and dont give
himself to much pressure. Josie think Father Stephen is the most learned and advanced if all men in the world.
Chapter 15: Josie went to the cafe with her friend, discussing about her career and boys. On the way home, Josie meets
Jacob and Jacob asks Josie for another chance. Then they decide to wag school and went to the beach. They kiss for yhe
first time.
Chapter 16: Jacob and Josie meets up again for a date. They spend some time at the beach and discuss about what it
means for Josie to be Italian.
Chapter 17: In this chapter Josie gets to know her father better as they spend time together in Adelaide over the holidays
and they develop a great relationship. Josie enjoyed meeting the rest of her family in Adelaide for the first time in 17 years.
Also in this chapter, Josie finds out about the feelings her father once had towards her mother. In this chapter we can see
that Josie likes spending time with her father as she feels as if she has known him her whole life. She enjoys Michaels
company.
Quotes
Chapter 14:
Chapter 15: What am I going to do with my life? Youre not Poison Lvy. Youre no saint
Chapter16:ld hate them all. Id hate to be Italian
You can't hate what you're part of. What you are.
Chapter 17: -"Six months ago I hadn't met my father and I didn't want to. These days I see him three times a week and the
day I don't see him he rings me. Somehow we've developed a great relationship.
-" Remember how I said that night-time scares me a lot because I feel as if everyone could be dead? Well just being able
to hear Michael snoring made the night-time sound so alive."
Brea, Chloe, Sian Chapter 27, 28, 29
Chapter 27 (Brea): She went to watch her cousin, Robert, play rugby union. She saw John Barton and they sat and talked together.
John was comparing Josie and Ivy and telling her how similar they are. John walked Josie home and they talked about Jacob, her
boyfriend at the time. He was telling her about his crush in year 10 and how he wanted to ask her out. Josie started going on about the
future, how they are going to go to the same university, take the same classes and be good friends forever. John tells Josie about how
he has is future all planned out exactly how he wants it to be. Josie started to finally feel very positive about life with; John, Jacob,
Michael, Mama, Nonna and her friends.
Chapter 28: After Josie heard about John Bartons death, she is filled with overwhelmed anger and devastation because she believed
that she has lost a friend who could understand her. Therefore, she even called her dad to pick up. During the ride, she tells his father
about Johns death and how she doesnt understand why he killed himself, because she thought that John was living a wonderful life.
As she read John letter, Josie compares her life and John life, then realises that her life wasnt that bad.
Chapter 29: It was revealed that Ivy only worked harder to be better than Josie, that she was only Dux because she didnt want Josie
to be.They both had found a common ground, trying to get past their distaste towards one another. Michael had shared with Josie her
mothers old dream of being a poet and going to university. And had eventually told her he was not moving back to Adelaide, and had
asked Josie to take his last name, Andretti instead of Alibrandi.
Quotes
Chapter 27: Its just I had a big crush on you in Year 10. I wanted to ask you out but I was scared youd say no. - John
Just make you decisions and follow them through Josie. That's what I've done. Ive got my whole future planned out the
way I want it to be and there is nothing anyone can do to take that away from me. - John
I couldnt help thinking that everything was working out well with our lives which had seemed so complicated at the
beginning of the year. - Josie (thinking about herself and John)
Chapter 29: Im only Dux because I didnt want you to be, I worked harder because of you. You got on my nerves a lot.
-Ivy If we go to the same university and we bump into each other one day, lets have a cappuccino and talk. - Ivy What do
you know of your mothers desires? She wanted to be the greatest poet around. Shed recite to me constantly. I hated it. Michael What I discussed with her is that Id like you to be... an Andretti I want to adopt you. I want you to have my
name. - Michael
