Carnegie Prize-winning author, Melvin Burgess, handles with great sensitivity and an engrossing narrative drive, a powerful story of how child care can go terribly wrong. When Nick’s mother dies suddenly and unexpectedly, the 14-year-old is sent straight into a boys’ home, where he finds institutional intimidation and violence are used to keep order. After countless fights and punishments, Nick thinks life can’t get any worse — but the professionally respected deputy head, Mr. Creal, who has been grooming him with sweets and solace, has something much more sinister in mind. Nick has no choice but to escape. Living on the run, he falls in with a modern Fagin, a cheerful Rasta who fences stolen credit cards and car stereos. The scarring, shaming experience he suffered at the hands of Mr. Creal can never quite be suppressed, and when the old hatred surfaces, bloody murder and revenge lead to an unforgettable climax.