Melina Marchetta around the World

Sometimes the internet is a magical and wonderful place that brings the world together. These are the days that I love the internet. Nothing online has made me happier lately than my Goodreads group "Melina Around the World Challenge."

It started a few months ago when Carmel discovered a little book called "The Gorgon in the Gully." It's a middle grade Melina Marchetta book only available in Australia. My goodreads group is a a wee bit (okay a lot) obsessed with Melina Marchetta's YA novels. Mainly we think they're the best YA books out there & wonder what exactly is in Australian water.

The rest of my group mourned our inability to purchase The Gorgon in the Gully. Especially when we discovered the Protagonist is Danny Griggs--that's right, Jonah Griggs' (from the incomparable Jellicoe Road) little brother. So Carmel gave us some Aussie trivia questions and 2 people won copies of the book.

Then comes in Catie's brilliant idea. It was ludicrous to ask Carmel to send EVERYONE copies of this book (have you seen Australian shipping rates?). But maybe we could all share. Thus the Melina around the world challenge was born! As it's travelled everyone has added postcards, a couple of bookmarks and signed their names. It been something magical and interconnected. Our group has never felt so close and even though we're all spread out on different continents this is something we're doing together. The book is halfway through the list and still going strong.

So where has it been and where it is going?

Catie - Virginia, USA
Isalmq - Manila, Philippines
Roshini - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Atiqer - Singapore, Singapore :)
Arphaxad - Cambridge, UK
Alleycat WPS - Redditch, UK
Michelle - Connecticut, USA

Bluemoon - Ontario, Canada
Alyssa - Ontario, Canada
Wendy F - Michigan, USA
Peep - Pennsylvania, USA
Cassi - Kentucky, USA
Brandi - Tennessee, USA
Heidi I - Illinois, USA
Kristina - Missouri, USA

Jessica - Missouri, USA
Amanda - Minnesota, USA
Jaimie - Colorado, USA
Jen - Colorado, USA
Becca - Utah, USA
Claire - California, USA

Yes I took the book on a hike. I wanted to show it Kentucky!

Mini-review of Gorgon in the Gully

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Melina Marchetta can do no wrong. The Gorgon in the Gully is a lovely book about friendship. Danny's a lovable little kid--fearful, loyal, as well as a bit of a organizer. I was always the one coming up with schemes as a kid so I really related to this story. For us YA loving Marchetta fan there's lots of easter eggs and Jonah-references. In case you thought you couldn't love Jonah Griggs anymore--you will by the end of this book. I said on goodreads (in my normal silly way) that this book left me feeling like I was swimming in a sea full of warm fuzzies. How has this not been released everywhere? I want to give this book to children I know. Its such a hopeful, darling, fun story that I think everyone can enjoy.