When fourteen-year-old Nicholas Dane’s mother dies, social services sends him to a home for boys where intimidation and violence keep order. After a number of fights and brutal punishments, Nick thinks that life can’t possibly get any worse . . . until he realizes that the home’s respected deputy head, who has been grooming him with sweets and solace, has something more frightening in mind. Acclaimed writer and truth-teller Melvin Burgess brings us, with Dickensian scope and compelling narrative drive, his most ambitious book yet.
- ISBN: 9780805092035
- Published: 2010 , Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
- Themes: Child abuse, Coming of age, Drugs, Emotional problems, overcome, power, sexual abuse, social issues, violence, youth
- Descriptors: England (UK), Rhymes/songs, Young Adult (ages 14-18)
- No. of pages: 416