By: Sally Rippin
Published: February 2013
ISBN: 9780143307006

Description

It's 1956... and Lina dreams of being a writer, but her strict Italian parents have other ideas. Now that she's won a scholarship to an expensive girls school, Lina has other troubles too.

To fit in, she must keep her home life a secret, and even her best friend Mary can't know the truth. But how long can she keep her two worlds apart?

Review

Although I haven't read every book the 'Our Australian Girl' series, picking this one reminded me of how wonderful they are and why these books are always so popular.

'Meet Lina' is set in Carlton, Melbourne in 1956. A daughter of an Italian immigrant at the time of the Melbourne Olympic Games, it highlights this important time in Australia's history.

Lina struggles to fit in after she receives a scholarship to a prestigious Catholic girls college. But with Lina's feisty personality, all is looking better as we prepare for the second book in Lina's story.

With a wonderful plot, this is historically important, curriculum based and simply a great read for middle to upper primary students.

This book was included in our February 2013 Primary Fiction Standing Order subscription.

Reviewed by Rob