The final novel from Carnegie Medal-winning author Mal Peet is a sweeping coming-of-age adventure, with all the characteristic beauty and strenth of his prose. Both harrowing and life-affirming, the final novel from Carnegie Medal-winning author Mal Peet is the sweeping coming-of-age adventure of a mixed race boy transported to North America. Born from a street liaison between a poor young woman and an African sailor in the 1900s, Beck is soon orphaned and sent to the Catholic Brothers in Canada. Shipped to work on a farm, his escape takes him across the continent in a search for belonging. Enduring abuse and many hardships, Beck has times of comfort and encouragement, eventually finding Grace, the woman with whom he can finally forge his life and shape his destiny as a young man. A picaresque novel set during the Depression as experienced by a young black man, it depicts great pain but has an uplifting and inspiring conclusion.

 

This book was recognised by the Carnegie Award. The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.

This book has been graded for interest at 14+ years.

There are 272 pages in this book. This book was published 2017 by Walker Books Ltd .

Meg Rosoff is the celebrated author of How I Live Now , winner of the Guardian Fiction Award. Her second book Just in Case won the Carnegie Medal. Mal Peet is the author of the acclaimed young adult novels, Tamar, winner of the 2005 Carnegie Medal, and The Penalty, sequel to Keeper. He lives in Devon with his family.