Bittersweet Almond (author of the excellent Skellig) is on the Guardian Prize shortlist with this fine children's book.
Life's about to change for Bobby Burns. His dad's poorly, his school's like a Bolivian prison, a strange, wandering fire-eater enters his life and the Cuban Missile Crisis means nuclear war could start at any time.
Can Bobby, his schoolmate and a girl friend change a crummy world? The Fire-eaters will tickle sensitive palates.
ED PERKINS
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