Gary Lonesborough’s debut novel is a hell of a way to launch yourself onto the YA stage. A compelling own-voices novel, The Boy from the Mish tells the story of Jackson, a 17-year old Aboriginal man on the Mish. It’s the beginning of the summer holidays, and Aunty Pam comes to stay as she does every year. But this time, she has the mysterious Tomas in tow. Jackson can’t quite figure him out, but as their friendship develops, Jackson also has to reconsider his other relationships, with his friends, family and community. How do they see him? How does he feel about that? And, more importantly, how does he feel about himself? This is a wonderfully written first novel, which tells the kind of story that’s sadly lacking on the Australian YA literature landscape – authentic and engaging queer Indigenous characters and stories. I can’t wait to read what comes next from Lonesborough – and I hope we don’t have to wait too long! A fab read for your upper high school readers.