The Ant Colony by Jenny Valentine

This is Jenny Valentine's third book so if you liked Finding Violet Park and Broken Soup then you will love this, cos I did.

The first sentence in this story sets you up for what is to come. Sam has run away from the countryside to London. He is 17, he is capable, but he has a past that will catch up with him in this book. He finds a job and a place to stay and this is where he meets 10 year old Bohemia who changes his life for ever. Bohemia has a dysfunctional mother but like some of Jacqueline Wilson's characters she is made of sterner stuff and is just a wonderful girl to know. These two get to know each other within the rundown boarding house in which they both dwell and become reluctant friends or so it seems on the surface. There are secrets to be discovered and when they are revealed you will be stunned.

In between times you get a picture of loneliness and poverty in a big city and an insight into the character of London.

An excellent read this for Secondary school students.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by HarperCollins (2009)

You might be interested in Mary Hoffman's Guardian review as well.