Hood Rat

In the summer of 2011, disorder spread through several of England's large cities, and many people pointed to gang life as the cause. This book looks past that easy explanation. Through close immersion in the lives of those involved, it follows young men who have slipped through the cracks of schools, care and the justice system, and it also follows a young woman working to bring about change in her community. Rather than offering a verdict, the author lets these lives speak for themselves, showing how poverty, neglect and reputation shape the choices people make. It is a close look at parts of the country that most readers only see from a distance.