Shades Of Joy by Paul Akhurst
Scott Richardson, an eleven year old East-End boy, knows that being perfect is impossible but would settle for simply being good - or at least good enough to fool everybody that he’s worth something.
The trouble is, the more shameful a secret feels the harder it is to hide - and lying is not a realistic option for someone who knows he’s no good at it, even when his life is at risk.
Fortunately his dog, Dinky, doesn’t ever ask questions; and some teachers seem to understand things without needing to.
But an internal clock is counting down for Scott and it’s making it increasingly hard for him to resist the temptation to trust.
Working out who the least harmful person might be however, proves as challenging as trying to be perfect.
An affecting story about a boy and a secret his life depends on.