Boy from the Mish

In the summer, Jackson and his family live on the Mish, but when his Aunty and cousins come from the city, a mysterious boy with a troubled past comes with them. This novel is about first love, identity, and the power of self-belief. It is a raw, unflinching look at the experience of growing up gay and Aboriginal, and a sweet, truly endearing love story.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2021
Publisher: Murdoch Books

SHORTLISTED: 2022 CBCA Book of the Year,Older Readers

SHORTLISTED: 2022 Victorian Premier s Literary Awards,Indigenous Writing Prize

SHORTLISTED: 2022 NSW Premier s Literary Award,Indigenous Writers Prize

SHORTLISTED: 2022 Adelaide Festival Awards,Young Adult Fiction Award

SHORTLISTED: 2021 QLD Literary Awards,Griffith University Young Adult Book Award

I don't paint so much anymore, I say, looking to my feet. Oh. Well, I got a boy who needs to do some art. You can help him out, Aunty Pam says, like I have no say in the matter, like she didn't hear what I just said about not painting so much anymore. Jackson, this is Tomas. He's living with me for a little while. It's a hot summer, and life's going all right for Jackson and his family on the Mish. It's almost Christmas, school's out, and he's hanging with his mates, teasing the visiting tourists, avoiding the racist boys in town. Just like every year, Jackson's Aunty and annoying little cousins visit from the city - but this time a mysterious boy with a troubled past comes with them... As their friendship evolves, Jackson must confront the changing shapes of his relationships with his friends, family, and community. And he must face his darkest secret - a secret he thought he'd locked away for good.

Compelling, honest, and beautifully written, The Boy from the Mish is about first love, identity, and the superpower of self-belief. The Boy from the Mish is an extraordinary debut novel, and I loved this tender, beautiful story with all my heart. Jackson and Tomas stole my heart, and I'll be thinking about them for a long time.

NINA KENWOOD

A lightning bolt to the soul. The Boy from the Mish announces a bold, necessary new talent.

WILL KOSTAKIS

How I wish I had this big-hearted book when I was.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 197 x 129 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911679059