Eddie and his mother Lucy are locked away by her abusive, alcoholic partner Harris. For three years, his only connection to the outside world is a collection of old video tapes of a "Mr. Rogers-like" character. At age seven, Eddie and his mother are rescued, but his mother has literally been beaten senseless and Eddie is terrified that Harris will find him. Eddie seems to do well with his kind foster parents and is eventually adopted by a nice couple with another adopted child, Alice. Then on a school science trip, Eddie sees something that sends him spiraling out of control.
- Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal
Fiction
- Outburst by Patrick Jones
- Taking Sides by Patrick Jones
- Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
- Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher
- Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
- A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive by David Pelzer (921/Pelzer)
- One Child by Torey L. Hayden (618.9/Hay)