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keep Tinto hidden until they sailed.
    They followed the other people along the deck until a soldier barred their way. ‘You’ll have to go down to the library and find a space on the floor. There are no cabins left,’ he said.
    â€˜But my husband is still weak from an illness and I have a toddler,’ Mum said.
    â€˜It’s the same for everyone, ma’am. The boat’s overcrowded as it is.’
    Mum looked at Dad. There was nothing they could do.
    â€˜Hey, kid! What have you got there inside your clothes?’ The soldier was calling after them.
    Pearlie turned. The soldier pointed at her dress. When she glanced down, she saw with horror that Tinto’s little head was peeping out from under her shirt.
    â€˜Pearlie!’ Mum said angrily. ‘You told us you gave Tinto away.’
    Pearlie’s voice was trembling as she spoke. ‘He won’t be any trouble, I promise.’ She didn’t know whether to say this to the soldier or to her parents.
    â€˜Hand it over,’ the soldier said. ‘No animals permitted on board. We’re not running Noah’s Ark.’
    Pearlie cradled Tinto in her arms, not wanting to let him go.
    â€˜Give him to the soldier,’ Mum said.
    Pearlie shook her head as tears stung her eyes. ‘I can’t. They’ll kill him . . .’
    â€˜You should have given him to Mr Hardy yesterday,’ Dad said.
    She wiped her eyes and looked at Dad. ‘I still can. I’ll be back soon,’ Pearlie said. ‘Don’t worry.’
    â€˜Pearlie, what are you doing?’ Mum cried out startled.
    â€˜I forbid you to go, Pearlie!’ Dad called.
    But without another word, Pearlie pushed through the crowd and down the gangplank.
    She didn’t look back at the ship. She raced up Cavenagh Street, past their shop, past the school. ‘Keep going, Pearlie,’ she breathed. It was as if her lungs were on fire. She knew she was a long way from Thomas Hardy’s shack but she told herself, ‘Just a little further now. Just a little further now.’
    At the end of Cavenagh Street she was about to turn right into Daly Street when she suddenly stopped. Her breath caught in her throat.
    A man with pale skin and a small ginger-coloured moustache fixed her with his bright blue eyes. He had her bracelet dangling from his fingers.
    The ship’s horn sounded.
    Pearlie was seized with terror.

I am a fourth-generation Chinese Australian. My great-grandfather came to the Victorian goldfields from China in 1853. China was a very poor country and many people sailed across the sea in search of a better life.
    My dad was born in Shanghai, China. He met my mum when he was sent to Australia by the Chinese government during World War Two. War separates some people and brings others together. It is strange to think that if World War Two hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have been born.
    I grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne. I was a tomboy. I climbed trees, dug tunnels, built cubby houses. And like my main character, Pearlie, I loved animals.

I was born and grew up in Italy, a beautiful country to visit, but also a difficult country to live in for new generations.
    In 2006, I packed up my suitcase and I left Italy with the man I love. We bet on Australia. I didn’t know much about Australia before coming – I was just looking for new opportunities, I guess.
    And I liked it right from the beginning! Australian people are resourceful, open-minded and always with a smile on their faces. I think all Australians keep in their blood a bit of the pioneer heritage, regardless of their own birthplace.
    Here I began a new life and now I’m doing what I always dreamed of: I illustrate stories. Here is the place where I’d like to live and to grow up my children, in a country that doesn’t fear the future.

O N 15th December 1941, the government sent a printed note to every single household in Darwin. It told