King Of Rabbits

Karla Neblett, William Heinemann, £14.99

In this brilliantly crafted story about the failure of society to catch children who fall through the cracks, we meet Kai, a mixed-race kid who grows up on a rural council estate with drug-addicted parents.

He seeks solace in nature. Powerful and tragic, this book makes a profound statement the importance of access to opportunities and the impact of childhood and background on future lives.