Abstract

Placed in care at a very early age, Paolo Hewitt went to live with a foster family where he endured extreme abuse and humiliation.

Following years of abuse he was sent to Burbank children's home at the age of ten where he met a gang of children. Like him, they were outsiders struggling to find their place in the world. Paolo paints a vivid picture of his coming of age in the children's home; of bruising fights, failed love, brushes with the law and enduring friendships, and describes how his salvation eventually comes through his passion for music and literature.

Gripping and perceptive, The Looked After Kid is is a testament to the resilience of children who 'go to sleep at night believing the world to be a dark and terrible place', but wonderfully emerge from the darkness to shine their lights on all.

Paolo Hewitt is a journalist and author of over 20 acclaimed books spanning music, fashion, sport and growing up in care. He began his writing career at Melody Maker and New Musical Express in the 1970s, has been official biographer to Oasis and The Jam, and continues to write regularly for national newspapers and magazines. He has recently published an acclaimed sequel to The Looked After Kid which describes the lives of some of the children he grew up with after leaving care: But We All Shine On: The Remarkable Orphans of Burbank Children's Home.
He manages to offer insights and encouragement for cared-for-youngsters -- and their care staff.
The Guardian
An uplifting story about refusing to give up on your dreams... real inspiration to loads of people who have had similar backgrounds to Paolo.
Irvine Welsh
Engaging, honest, and most important - a fucking weird, interesting and entertaining read.
Front Magazine
I cannot tell you how moved, touched, horrified and amused I was. I rate it with Catcher in the Rye.
Jilly Cooper
This is his tenth book and his experience as a writer is evident. Despite the emotional weight of the subject, The Looked After Kid is a pleasure to read.
New Statesman
An emotional book - it got to me.
Kevin Rowland, Dexys
He offers rare insight into the psyche of those who grow up without the unconditional love of a parent.
The Times
... the lack of journalistic gesticulation and presumption makes this both a refreshing and riveting read.
Mojo
On bookshelves packed with a growing genre of harrowing real-life stories, this book stands out. Hewitt is an accomplished author. The book is well written, but his insight and self-awareness clearly come from a position that allows him to observe what he has experienced.
Therapy Today