The Pull of the Moon is a powerful new book that doesn’t shy away from tough discussions. This book centres on the 2010 Christmas Island boat disaster, when a boat carrying asylum seekers ran aground against the rocks surrounding the island. Pip Smith handles this topic expertly, not shying away from tragedy, but presenting the story in a way that is digestible for younger readers.

The story primarily follows Coralie, a 13-year-old girl living on Christmas Island when the disaster occurred. Woven through her story is the tale of two siblings, Ali and Zahra, who were on board the boat when it sank. The Pull of the Moon not only tackles issues surrounding asylum seekers, it also heavily centres on environmentalism. It’s impossible to read this book and not feel for the characters. The Pull of the Moon is a great text to introduce young adults to these issues. Smith expertly balances cold, hard facts with deep emotional insight, weaving together a tapestry from which you cannot look away.

At its core, this is a book about coping with grief: the grief of an absent parent, the grief of losing your family and everything you’ve ever known, and the grief of a whole species dying. It is also a book about resilience and learning to live after tragedy. The lessons this book teaches about compassion, empathy and determination will resonate with kids and parents. Smith’s writing style and method of storytelling will make this book enjoyable for kids aged 12+.