by Joe Peters
First published 2009
Joe is five when he witnesses his father's death in a terrible accident. The tragedy leaves him mute and defenseless against his violent mother. For four and a half years, Joe cannot speak or ask for help as his schizophrenic mother and older brothers beat him, rape him, and lock him in the cellar. They feed him scraps from the floor and leave him naked in darkness for days. His stepfather joins the abuse, inviting others to harm Joe however they want. Unable to read or write, Joe can only draw pictures to show his pain. Two people keep him alive: his elder brother and a school friend who show him that love exists even in hell. At fourteen, Joe finds the strength to escape. He hides in a railway hut where local children secretly bring him food. This survival story reveals how one small boy endured impossible cruelty and grew into a man who fights to protect other children from abuse.
Genres: survival, historical-fiction, abuse, crime, biography-memoir, family-drama
Vibes: dark, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity, resilience
304 pages · Kindle Edition · Harper Element
Content warnings: abuse, child-abuse, physical-abuse