Promotional Information

Carnegie and Guardian-prize winning author, Melvin Burgess has written a long-awaited new story.

About the Author

Melvin Burgess was born in London and brought up in Surrey and Sussex. He has had a variety of jobs before becoming a full-time writer. Before his first novel, he had short stories published and a play broadcast on Radio 4. He is now regarded as one of the best writers in contemporary children's literature.

Reviews

"An exceptional novel, a tour-de-force from an outstanding writer."
*Jake Hope, Lancashire Libraries*

"No stranger to controversy, Melvin Burgess' latest novel is as hard-hitting as ever. It is a gutsy, powerful story... This is Burgess' homage to Dickens as he updates the themes and issues of Oliver Twist. Like Dickens, this is also a moral tale - there is a good dose of retribution and the central character comes through against the odds."
*The Bookseller*

"The contrast of Nicholas as powerless child and his adult self able to obtain some measure of retribution is powerfully done."
*Sue Baker - The Bookseller*

"It's hard hitting, typically controversial."
*Fiona Noble, The Bookseller*

"If there was ever going to be someone brave enough to turn abuse in children's homes into a novel for teenagers, it was Melvin Burgess... Burgess remains unapologetic and it's with good cause."
*Yorkshire Post*

"An exceptional novel, a tour-de-force from an outstanding writer." -- Jake Hope, Lancashire Libraries
"No stranger to controversy, Melvin Burgess' latest novel is as hard-hitting as ever. It is a gutsy, powerful story... This is Burgess' homage to Dickens as he updates the themes and issues of Oliver Twist. Like Dickens, this is also a moral tale - there is a good dose of retribution and the central character comes through against the odds." -- Sue Steel * The Bookseller *
"The contrast of Nicholas as powerless child and his adult self able to obtain some measure of retribution is powerfully done." * Sue Baker - The Bookseller *
"It's hard hitting, typically controversial." * Fiona Noble, The Bookseller *
"If there was ever going to be someone brave enough to turn abuse in children's homes into a novel for teenagers, it was Melvin Burgess... Burgess remains unapologetic and it's with good cause." * Yorkshire Post *

Gr 9 Up-Nicholas Dane is a typically rebellious 14-year-old, but he is loyal to the bone to those he cares about. When his mother dies from an overdose, he is sent to the worst home for boys in Manchester, England. Once there, he is tormented, beaten, and battered continuously by his peers and the staff. The abuse lessens when he is befriended by Tony Creal, one of the heads of the Home. Unfortunately, Mr. Creal is a master manipulator and has a long history of sexually preying on his charges. During this time, efforts to find some family for the boy turn up a very wealthy uncle who knew nothing about Nicholas's mother's existence, much less Nick's. The man is willing to pay for his nephew's education, but is told that the boy is incapable of behaving or learning and would be most success if he stayed in the home. Torture starts up again, after Nick refuses to spend time with Tony. One day a friend from the old neighborhood appears in Nicholas's division and saves him on some level. After a failed attempt to escape, the two flee and get involved with shady characters, running various errands for them. During this time, Nicholas erratically visits his mother's best friend, telling her that he is doing fine. As Nicholas gets caught up in street life, he learns that his experience in the home was not an isolated one. Burgess is a genius in drawing readers into a compelling, dramatic, and candid read. He examines the dark underbelly of society and the powers that corrupt and exploit its youth, yet offers an ultimately positive and hopeful message. This book will stay with readers long after they put it down.-Patty Saidenberg, George Jackson Academy, New York City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.