AustLit

'A powerful and moving story about one boy caught up in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 2011.

'When the tsunami strikes the Japanese seaside town of Omori-wan, the effects are utterly devastating. Three years later, much of what happened on that day is still a mystery. As Hotaka sets about convincing local performers to appear at the town's upcoming Memorial Concert, he finds himself increasingly haunted by memories of best friend, Takeshi, who perished without trace in the tsunami. Then his friend Sakura becomes involved in an anti-seawall movement, and all too quickly the protest gets serious. As the town and its people struggle to rebuild their lives, can Hotaka piece together what happened that day - and let go of the past? ' (Publication summary)

'For high-school student Emilio Garcia Lopez, it's an ordinary school day. But that evening the knock on the door announcing the arrival of his police-officer cousin Juanita, flanked by a tall man in the uniform of the Federal Police, will turn his ordinary day into the beginning of a long nightmare. Emilio's mother has been kidnapped in broad daylight from a hotel carpark by unidentified criminals, who appear to know a great deal about her business and who have mistaken her for a wealthy businesswoman.

'An action-packed story set in a contemporary conflict zone.' (Publication summary)