Yes, I 'enjoyed' it (if that's the right word) too, so thanks Billie. I'd never heard of Torey Hayden before and actually picked my copy up from a charity shop.

Like nannyconnie it took me a little while to realise that Ladbrooke was the kid in the title. As the storyline developed I did begin to think that perhaps Torey was too good to be true, but the way that she gained Ladbrooke's trust and continually encouraged her whilst at the same time being responsible for her class of emotionally damaged children made for interesting and thought provoking reading.

I'm not a teacher and have no experience of caring for children such as these and the book really brought home to me how difficult life can be for their parents/carers and just how dedicated teachers such as Torey need to be.