Jon is 15 and life is hard. Money is tight and Jon is trapped in a hopeless miserable existence.

Then by chance, he meets someone who helps him to see things differently.

Despite girls, bullies, teachers, policemen, his mother and her violent boyfriend, Jon wants to survive. Once he finds Jimmy and Paul, he begins to take control of his life. He becomes an apprentice adult.

About Peter Inson

Peter Inson grew up in Essex and trained as an agriculturalist, became a teacher of English and, eventually, headmaster of a comprehensive school in west London. For five years he taught at an international boarding school in Switzerland

At school he failed English Literature and has had a long-standing sympathy with teenagers who, in his opinion, now face much unreasonable pressure to succeed in life before they leave school. Eventually, he gained a degree in English and is now an examiner for the International Baccalaureate. For a short while, he and his wife fostered a fifteen year-old girl who had been expelled from two schools.

Peter has written four novels and is working on a fifth, a satire on the special relationship with the US.

His articles have appeared in The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Express, The Times Education Supplement, Swiss News, Beecraft, Children Now and The Farmer's Weekly. He has also written on self-publishing in Writers' Forum and Children's Literature in Education [NY].

Greatly convincing, as far from patronising as possible. A worthwhile read.

Independent on Sunday.

Fluent, engaging writing for adults and teenagers alike. Sunday Express.

A cool book. This should get your teens reading. Woman.

A starkly honest novel; for anyone who wants a realistic and gritty look at the life of a down-and-out teenager.

Kimberly Pauley. Young Adult Books Central. US.

Convincing and poignant in its approach, a great read for both teenagers and adults.

Perth Life.

Ambitious and compassionate.

Books for Keeps.

Very, very moving. I wanted my teenage sons to read it. Sue Wardell, Independent Bookseller of the Year, on BBC Radio Lancashire.

All magistrates who deal with young people would benefit from reading dunno. Herschelian Blog