Barry Hines

the billy elliot of scotland - without the happy ending. the boy lives together with his father and brother. no friends but a bird (kestrel) that he will raise. all he wishes for is a normal life, but reality is cruel. told from the boy's perspective it gives insight on the gruesome conditions of this rather loveless family life and his childhood in general, which maight not be as unique as it should be. a good read, a classic in schools.