The Mimosa Tree

It’s the summer of 1987 and Mira is beginning her first year at uni. She’s got a radical new haircut, and an all-black wardrobe – she should be having the time of her life.

But it’s hard to get excited about anything when you’re being smothered by your crazy Italian family, enrolled in a course you’re not interested in, and expecting nuclear warfare at any moment.

Even a new best friend and the magnetic boy from art class can’t wipe away the image of a looming mushroom cloud. And Mira’s right. Her world is about to explode, but it’s not the skies she should be checking.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘Senior Secondary students will find much to like in this book seeing one of the many paths in their post school lives opening up before them.’ Magpies

‘Even if young adult novels aren’t normally your thing this might change your mind.’ Teensoul

‘… a beautiful and moving tale about a young girl growing up in Perth during the 1980’s.’ Scoop Magazine

‘This is a beautifully written and direct book about identity and the redemptive power of friendship and family. But it is the wonderful and witty characters that will stay with you long after you put the book down.’ The West Australian

‘Preto tells a completely absorbing story of the difficulties of achieving independence without alienating yourself from your family.’ Canberra Times

‘The teenage voice is completely convincing but also articulate and intelligent enough to engage the reader. The characters are drawn with gusto and Preto toggles skilfully between the vivid noisy emotional scenes of Italian family life and Mira’s increasingly rocky progress.’ The Saturday Age

‘Perhaps the author’s most accomplished … literary achievement is to connect the devastation of the nuclear bomb with the ravages caused by cancer radiation treatment.’ The Australian