Description
A suspenseful and gut-wrenching story of an unhoused teenager struggling to survive a criminal scrapping ring while unraveling a dark family history
Josh’s father has gone missing without a trace, and Gran’s ready to call social services. If Josh wants to keep himself and and his little brother, Twig, out of the system, he’ll have to take to the streets and track down his dad. But when Josh digs too deep, his dad’s old accomplices catch up to Josh and plunge him into a dangerous underground where putting his trust in the wrong person could number Josh in a growing pile of bodies.
This chilling portrayal of a teen desperate for food, shelter, and safety barrels the reader through an emotionally-charged journey as Josh discovers that blood doesn’t always make family—and some bonds can be broken forever.
Reviews
“A visceral story. . . .”—Kirkus Reviews
“Higgs-Coulthard delivers a gritty, emotionally nuanced read about an unhoused teen searching for his absent father. . . . Utilizing atmospherically tense prose and layered, moving characterizations, this melancholy novel showcases one teen struggling to cultivate a better life for himself while navigating financial precarity and personal betrayal.”—Publishers Weekly
“Empathetic readers will root for Josh and Twig as both are three-dimensional characters who need caring adults to come to their aid. The ending provides a hopeful ending. . . . A smart purchase. . . .”—School Library Connection
More Details
BISAC 1: YAF062010 Young Adult Fiction – Thrillers & Suspense – Crime
BISAC 2: YAF058130 Young Adult Fiction – Social Themes – Poverty & Homelessness
BISAC 3: YAF018050 Young Adult Fiction – Family – Orphans & Foster Homes
