Alibrandi

For the most part, Josie spends a lot of time trying to distance herself from her roots. She isn't comfortable with her Italian heritage, nor is she comfortable in her own skin, as evidenced in the way she feels out of place in school. She is half Italian and half Australian, her classmates are wealthy...... she is on a scholarship.

After Josie's father reappears, things get even worse. Thankfully, Josie's feelings about her father help her to understand the grandmother that she'd always seen as too strict. As a result of their bonding, Josie comes to embrace the Italian traditions that she had always resented.