<p><strong>Matthew Wasn’t Always a Problem Child, But Now He’s Screwing Up… Big Time</strong></p><p>After Matthew's parents’ marriage collapsed and his brother and father both disappeared, this once-popular high school kid learned how to act out: fighting, stealing, skipping school, and generally tearing his world to pieces.</p><p>But when Matthew runs away to the seductive streets of Greenwich Village, he becomes fascinated with a mysterious panhandler called Sailor Barlow. Barlow offers him a life of freedom and release he never imagined, and when Matthew discovers a dark secret about Barlow, the youth convinces himself that he’s the only one who can save his new friend—even if he has to risk everything to do it.</p><p>As Matthew descends ever-deeper into New York City’s terrifying underworld—a hellhole full of liars, cheats, thugs, and murderers—he must use his newfound fierce cunning to his advantage if he wants to survive.</p><p>Can Matthew claw his way back from the brink of destruction? Or will Sailor Barlow draw him so deep into his own dark world that he drowns?</p><p>Fans of <em>The Book Thief</em> by Markus Zusak, <em>Angela’s Ashes</em> by Frank McCourt, <em>Lord of the Flies</em> by William Golding, and <em>Hatchet</em> by Gary Paulsen are sure to love this inspiring coming-of-age novel.</p>
