Marcus has one brother in a youth offender centre and the other is working with their dad on plans for their next theft. Everyone assumes Marcus will follow in their footsteps, but he has other ideas, different hopes.
When a mysterious accident lands a man in hospital, it confirms what everyone in their community expects and Marcus gets the blame. He feels trapped. Only new girl Emma - with her peace protest banners and political badges - questions this story. Can they work together to clear his name - and help Marcus become the person he really wants to be?
Selected by Jane Branson
Set in 1980 this is Lesley Parr’s second visit to the recent past. Highly textured and well-
plotted, this is a character-driven story - Marcus is an angry young man and not easy to
befriend, but by the end we are completely on his side. A perfect book for middle grade
readers on the cusp of YA.