THE MAILBOX TREE

A story of fellowship and finding oneself against the backdrop of climate change, told from the perspectives of two Australian girls and featuring one extra-special pine tree.

Nyx and Bea live in West Hobart, Tasmania, and they’re both lonely. Nyx has lost her mother, and because her father’s met someone online, she faces the possibility of moving away from everything she knows. Neurodiverse Bea, who has hearing loss and loves The Lord of the Rings, is regarded as weird and is bullied at school. The two girls form a friendship through letters they leave in a pine tree that’s close to both their houses and that they both find comfort in climbing. The image-rich writing is clever, offering puzzles for readers to untangle alongside the characters before the action truly begins and the pace picks up. When Nyx’s neighborhood faces extreme fires and then flooding, Bea finds it within herself to speak up and bring her school community together to help. Lim and Gordon powerfully explore themes of climate change and working together, showing how one young person can jump-start big action. This genre-blending book will appeal to many, including readers who love grappling with real-world problems, those who appreciate speculative fiction, and anyone seeking a thoughtful, character-driven coming-of-age story. Nyx has brown skin and black hair; Bea is cued white.

A vividly rendered, evocative story about the power of connection and maintaining hope through despair.