Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa

 

I’ve not read such a heartwarming capture of childhood friendship in a long time! Tomoko spends a crucial middle school year with her mother’s aunt’s family in a stunning manor in the hillsides of Ashiya. She quickly strikes up a deep friendship with her sickly cousin Mina, with whom she tries to learn about life’s truths. The house has a favored pet, a Pygmy hippopotamus, who adds a touch of whimsy to the readable story. From the gorgeous Japanese countryside, to the subtle portrayals of class, to the wistfulness that imbues every page, this is a coming-of-age novel worth savoring.