What Jamie saw was his stepfather, Van, hurling his baby sister across the room, luckily to be caught by his mum. This terrifying opening to a remarkable novel stays in the mind for a long time. Patty, Jamie's mother is a strong, tough character, and when Van shows so plainly how violent he is, she takes the two children and leaves. They all three end up in a lonely caravan in New Hampshire, courtesy of Patty's friend Earl - a bleak but beautiful place - living under conditions that would have finished off most people. Earl is supportive but worried that Van will find them in this lonely outpost. The real strength of the book is Jamie's inner life, the explanations of what he is going through, his protective feelings towards his little sister and the damage that he has undoubtedly suffered. Patty is partly to blame for the situation. The children have different fathers, and she has been none too choosy about the men in her life. But fiercely protective of Jamie and Nin, she understands Jamie's almost catatonic state and does her best in terrible circumstances. There is no happy ending. Van finds them at last and agrees to leave them alone, but they are still in the caravan with no real hope of going anywhere else. An understanding teacher tries to help, but Jamie finds it too difficult to accept her advances. One feels that Jamie is in for a tough time for the rest of his life, in spite of his loving mum. Gritty and very realistic - and beautifully written.