About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is beginning to question the reliability of adults or is starting to notice the invisible struggles of peers living in different socioeconomic circumstances. It is a stark, honest look at 13 year old Joe, whose mother leaves him alone in their London flat for a week that turns into much longer. While it begins with the thrill of independence, it quickly shifts into a survival story about food insecurity and neglect. This book is an essential choice for developing empathy and discussing the 'hidden' reality of child poverty and the weight of keeping family secrets. It offers a gritty but necessary perspective on resilience for readers aged 11 and up.
