The boys' families live next to each other, but they couldn't be more different. Frankie's mum and dad are from Basilicata, Italy, while Lochie's are "Aussie".
Archimede Fusillo's parents are from Basilicata too, but the author is careful to underline this is not an autobiographical book.
"Frankie and I are not the same person," he explains speaking to SBS Italian, "but Frankie's experiences are not too dissimilar tho those I had as a boy, born and bred in Carlton (Melbourne)".
The novel opens with a description of Frankie's uneasiness at the thought of his family attending the Australian neighbours' BBQ.
The book cover Source: courtesy of Archimede Fusillo
But as the story develops, it becomes apparent that Frankie is not the only one feeling ill at ease.
The two adolescents almost look at each other as if in a mirror, comparing their families, exploring their differences and their unlikely similarities, and somewhat learning to know themselves in the process.
The events faced by the two boys lead to an unexpected finale, the writer explains, and the story has elicited some good reviews from the audience, not just the Italian-Australian one.
Archimede Fusillo has dedicated the novel to his young grandson Dante, hoping he may read it one day and learn something about his origins.
Listen to the interview with Archimede Fusillo in Italian:
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