Letters from the Upside

About this book

Con has been angry ever since Dad left. It’s not what he wants but, when the rage builds, he explodes. Now he’s suspended from school and everyone’s scared of him, making him doubt he can ever get back to being the good person he wants to be. 

Although Con is off school, Mum has no choice but to go to work – or lose her job. So old Mr Williams offers to keep an eye on him and lets him in on a secret. 

On the roof of their tower block, Mr Williams keeps homing pigeons which carry messages across the country. They need special attention and calm surroundings and Con finds that they soothe him as he learns to care for them.  

When Con is left in charge for a few days, he rises to the challenge and begins to wonder if the pigeons might be a way to find his dad.  

Exploring difficult feelings, Con’s story is a realistic, sensitive look at the issues faced by young people living with poverty and family break-up. Highlighting the importance of a supportive community it shows the value of kindness and restorative power of nature and open spaces in an urban environment.