About the Book: After losing her father, twelve-year-old Tomoko moves to Ashiya to live with her enigmatic uncle for a year that will transform her life. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Japan, the uncle’s grand colonial mansion and its exotic pet pygmy hippo create a magical, timeless world. Tomoko’s bond with her cousin Mina draws her into a world of secret crushes, storytelling, and youthful discovery. Mina’s Matchboxcaptures the innocence and mystery of adolescence while revealing a family on the brink of collapse. This evocative coming-of-age novel blends nostalgia, family drama, and the rich cultural shifts of Japan’s past.