Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

Saving Francesca. For as long as Francesca Spinelli can remember, she has relied on other people to tell her who she is. Her mother, Mia, never let a day pass when she would not comment on Francesca's laziness, or talent, or passion. Her friend's at Stella's would compliment on her sweet and non-threatening nature. But in year eleven, Francesca has found herself St. Sebastian's - an all boys school that has recently started accepting girls. Forced out of her contented niche at St. Stella's, she fears she is invisible, believes she is silent and comes to the startling realisation that her identity may well be gone forever. The fact that her manipulative and over-bearing, but deeply relied upon and loved mother, has taken to her bed with depression, adds to Francesca's worries. It appears that life could not get any worse, and Francesca sets out on a turbulent journey to retrieve her identity and survive her mother's illness. 3 STARS!!