<DIV><DIV><P>When fourteen-year-old Nicholas Dane&#8217;s mother dies, social services sends him to a home for boys where intimidation and violence keep order. After a number of fights and brutal punishments, Nick thinks that life can&#8217;t possibly get any worse . . . until he realizes that the home&#8217;s respected deputy head, who has been grooming him with sweets and solace, has something more frightening in mind. </P><P>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Acclaimed writer and truth-teller Melvin Burgess brings us, with Dickensian scope and compelling narrative drive, his most ambitious book yet.</P></DIV></DIV>