A moving story about how good and humane people can be in times of great crisis and stress. What is remarkable is this humanity is shown by characters who, if we saw them in the street, we would pass by without giving them a second glance or thought.
The narrator and main character is Skip, a twelve year old boy, who has chosen to live on the street because he is mistreated by his foster parents. While living on the street he meets Billy a man who has spent years on the street but is mistrustful of everybody.
When war strikes the unnamed city and it is flattened by bombs, Skip and Billy pick up 6 year old Max who has lost his mother and Tia a 15 year old damaged girl with a young baby.
Together this odd group survive in the rubble and dog-eat-dog society that war creates, until a violent act forces them into reluctant action.
A superb simple novel that moves your heart and creates an empathy with this ragtag group who are only human when all said and done. If you miss this one you will kick yourself.
Suitable intermediate to secondary school students and adults of course.
Reviewed by Bob
Published by Allen & Unwin (2009)
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