The Mailbox Tree by Rebecca Lim and Kate Gordon

What worked:

The story is set in future Tasmania as two young girls are distressed about their parents deciding their families must move away. Dust, heat, and dryness make up Nyx’s world but her father says a devastating flood is imminent. It makes no sense to her and she’s devastated about being forced to leave her home, where her mother is buried. Bea is also upset about moving even though she’s bullied at school. Nyx and Bea both find a peaceful place to think by climbing into the upper branches of the same pine tree although they’ve never met. Nyx writes an angry note about her father and leaves it in a knob of the tree and this leads to message swapping between the two girls. The book is written with alternating chapters sharing the thoughts, feelings, and anguish of Nyx and Bea.

Readers will soon realize something is off with the setting. Nyx describes how there’s no fresh food where she lives and people eat cryo, if they’re rich, or rehydro, if they’re not. On the other hand, Bea’s father is cooking ratatouille made from peas, sweet potatoes, or kale and the family raises bees for honey. Bea binge-watches “Lord of the Rings” movies every month. The lives of the two girls are starkly different so it’s hard to imagine they live in the same neighborhood. It’s not until one of Nyx’s notes mentions a bridge accident that readers, and Bea, will realize something strange is going on. The Mailbox Tree allows the girls to communicate across decades in time.

Both girls are feeling lonely and depressed and their relationship gives them a bit of optimism and happiness. Bea has been bullied for years and she can’t understand why she’s targeted. Everyone has different interests but Bea feels like she’s weird and no one will like her as a friend. Nyx also feels like she’s on her own because her mother has died and her father has a long-distance girlfriend. She’s sure her father wants to move because of the new woman, not because of impending flood waters. The story doesn’t mention any other kids in Nyx’s life and her father barely seems to notice when she’s around. Both girls are desperate for something positive in their lives so the magic of the Mailbox Tree seems like their salvation. Tasmania is nearing a disastrous apocalypse and Bea may be the only hope.

The final verdict:

This passionate, thoughtful story will touch readers’ heartstrings. Conservation of the environment is a major problem that should cause many people to reconsider how current decisions will impact the future. Overall, I highly recommend you give this poignant book a shot.