The Truth or Something — Jeanne Willis

A gripping and powerful novel about one boy's difficult struggle into adulthood

"Seems like we've only just got here and we're on the move again.

The landlord's been banging on the door and me and Mum had to pretend we wasn't in. We wasn't in last week either. The week before that she said she'd had her purse nicked."

World War II is over, but in the trenches of working-class England Mick is fighting a losing battle. Unsure of who his father might be, he is ignored by his mother and separated from the kid brother he adores. No matter how hard he tries to keep his head down, there's always a bigger fist around the corner.

Against all odds, victory is in sight . . . until Mick discovers the sickening truth about his father.

This stunning first novel from acclaimed picture-book author Jeanne Willis is raw, powerful, and achingly funny.