City Kid

From the author of international bestsellers A Circle of Children and Lovey comes an inspiring true story of a gifted teacher’s determination to understand the ‘rotten’ city kid everyone has given up on. Sitting quiet and withdrawn at a battered school desk, Luke had the looks of a shy angel – and a past that special needs teacher Mary MacCracken could barely believe. Already Luke had been picked up 24 times by the police. He’d set over a dozen major fires, and had a staggering record of thefts. No adult could reach him, no teacher could control him, and no policeman could cow him. All this – and Luke was only seven and a half years old. Trying to help Luke was Mary MacCracken’s job – and a seemingly impossible challenge. This is the remarkable story of how the impossible came true. This top-rated autobiography by Mary MacCracken is a compelling narrative of her experiences with Luke, a child written off by society. Her personal memoirs offer a profound exploration of the challenges and rewards of teaching. For fans of Angela Hart (Terrified), Maggie Hartley (Tiny Prisoners), Rosie Lewis (Helpless), and Petrina Banfield (Letters from Alice).