Maria Petranelli is Prepared for Anything (Except This)

Winner of the Ampersand Prize

By: Elisa Chenoweth

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Paperback | 2 July 2024 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
304 Pages

Age
12 - 99

Dimensions(cm)
21.0 x 13.5

Paperback

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Looking for Alibrandi meets Arrested Development in this YA screwball comedy about a student exchange gone hilariously, criminally wrong.

Maria Petranelli will do anything to get away from her overbearing Italian-Australian family. She’s over their constant heckling about getting a boyfriend, their unspoken belief that she’s not normal, and their loudly spoken belief that she’s incapable of doing, well, anything. So when her family declares she ‘couldn’t handle living in Italy’, Maria immediately signs up to go there on student exchange. What could possibly go wrong? Well, everything …

Despite months of mental preparation for every possible scenario, Maria is out of her depth in Italy. She struggles with the language, immediately gets scammed, and is bewildered by her growing attraction to Kennedy, the sweet-but-hopeless American exchange student who is determined to be her friend … if only Maria would let her.

When the two girls accidentally witness a crime, Maria discovers just what she can and can’t handle. Being kidnapped in the boot of a car and driven off into the Italian countryside? Maybe. But working out her feelings for Kennedy before it’s too late?

Maria Petranelli is prepared for anything … except this.

About the Author

Elisa Chenoweth is a high school teacher from Adelaide. She writes queer stories that are funny, uplifting, and reflective of the cultures she grew up with. Her debut novel Maria Petranelli is Prepared for Anything (Except This) won Hardie Grant's Ampersand Prize and will publish in July 2024.

Industry Reviews

'Awkward, funny and surprising, this student-exchange adventure in Italy gone terribly wrong is an entertaining romp with a gentle queer coming of age.' –Readings Books

'Hilarious look at a stubborn girl who is totally out of her depth, who gets into ridiculous situations, but is big hearted and has a highly engaging voice, and you just want something to eventually go right for her. You can’t help but loving Maria and her naivety ... A big-hearted, easy to read and sometimes unbelievable novel!' –Lamont

'Elisa Chenoweth's debut transports you on the wildest journey of self-discovery, love, and the everyday dramas of being a part of an ethnic household.' –Readings

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