Ten year old Justine Lee lives with her Pop, a survivor of the Burma railway, on the banks of the Murray river. She loves the river and its surrounds, escaping there as often as she can to play and explore. Justine’s mum left years ago and her dad’s visits are unpredictable and often violent. At school Justine is increasingly isolated, unable to read or write and too shy and confused to speak up about it. By the time she hits puberty, something else she doesn't really understand, Justine is in a very vulnerable position and suffers for it.
Sofie Laguna’s third novel is a beautiful and disturbing portrayal of a young girl’s coming of age. Poverty, violence and neglect all conspire to deprive Justine of a happy childhood. Occasionally there is a glimmer of hope that someone will spot what is going on and help her, but invariably the chance is missed and Justine has to learn to fight for herself.
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