The Boy Who Hit Back — Peter Wood

Matthew Wasn't Always a Problem Child, But Now He's Screwing Up… Big Time

After Matthew's parents' marriage collapsed and his brother and father both disappeared, this once-popular high school kid learned how to act out: fighting, stealing, skipping school, and generally tearing his world to pieces. But when Matthew runs away to the seductive streets of Greenwich Village, he becomes fascinated with a mysterious panhandler called Sailor Barlow. Barlow offers him a life of freedom and release he never imagined, and when Matthew discovers a dark secret about Barlow, the youth convinces himself that he's the only one who can save his new friend -- even if he has to risk everything to do it. As Matthew descends ever-deeper into New York City's terrifying underworld -- a hellhole full of liars, cheats, thugs, and murderers -- he must use his newfound fierce cunning to his advantage if he wants to survive. Can Matthew claw his way back from the brink of destruction? Or will Sailor Barlow draw him so deep into his own dark world that he drowns? Fans of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, and Hatchet by Gary Paulsen are sure to love this inspiring coming-of-age novel.