Tom feels out of place. He's attracted to boys, not girls, and he's a promising cellist, which the school bullies see as a reason to pick on him. The story follows him through his adolescence, as he becomes more aware of his sexuality, and more committed to his music. This is set against the background of a rising tide of hysteria on Tom's estate and a witchhunt against suspected paedophiles. Through it all, Tom moves towards a satisfying resolution.

 

There are 144 pages in this book. This book was published 2003 by Oxford University Press .

James Riordan has written many books for children, including many translations of Russian tales. His Peter and the Wolf is published in cloth and paperback by Oxford.