Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Title: Saving Francesca
Author: Melina Marchetta
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books
Release Date: May 9 , 2006
Rating : 5/5

Buy the book: Book Depository , Amazon
Read Excerpt HERE

Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastians, a boys' school that's pretends it's coed by giving the girls their own bathroom.  Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an 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, along, and without an inkling 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.

Saving Francesca is a book that had me laughing one minute, the next sad about the situation that Francesca was going through and the next I was laughing again.

Francesca Spinelli is a 16 years old girl that is going through some changes in her life, she just enter high school in a school that used to be all boys St. Sebastian. Her best friends went to a different school, so she hates being there. At St Sebastian Francesca will make new friends, some a bit forced at the beginning, some a little more natural,  but at the end she will learn who her true friend really are.

Mia is the mother of Francesca, she´s the rock of the family; she also is the kind of person that knows what is best for everyone including Francesca, who does not appreciate her mother’s comments. Mia has a nervous breakdown and everyone in the Spinelli family feel lost. So the family has to do everything that´s possible to stay together.

I have to mention Thomas Mackee and Jimmy Hailer, they´re hilarious and are the characters that lightening the story and they´re going to be a fundamental part of  Francesca life along with Tara, Justine and Siobhan. And there´s also Will to whom Francesca fells attracted to and can´t take of her mind.

Saving Francesca is a story about family, friendship and a little love.

Quotes:
“Do you think people have noticed that I'm around?"
"I notice when you're not. Does that count?”

“You go shake your foundations, Will. I think it's about time I saved myself.”