Eleven-year-old Alex has just moved halfway around the globe from London to live with her mother’s partner and his son in South Australia. It’s a lot of big changes for a young person to contend with at once: a new climate, school and family life. Alex finds comfort in the natural world as she endures bullying and struggles to feel at home in her new environment. Gradually though, she makes new friends, and the bonds with new family members strengthen as she experiences the wonder of Country with them. When their environment is threatened by fire, Alex is driven to help protect it alongside what is now her community. The big themes of this book are treated skilfully by Mirning author Tania Crampton-Larking; no one is perfect, and all of the characters are given opportunity to grow as they adjust to the various big changes in their lives. It’s an exciting book and a story that values courage and honesty as well as respect for each other and our environment.

This is a heartfelt and relevant read for ages 9+.