Gritty stories

Sequel to "The Chocolate War": Archie Costello still runs the Vigils and therefore the school; Brother Leon is headmaster.

There's little positive to say here; Jerry, while convalescing on his uncle's smallholding in Canada appears to find solace in God, but it is clear that this relies more on the peace of the church than anything else.

Genres: Gritty, School

Set slightly into the future when a decaying Britain is controlled by large criminal clans.

Powerfully written story based on Icelandic sagas. Disturbing vision of a future very pagan Britain ruled by brutality and where strength and cunning prevail. Christianity is reduced to an undistinguished sect.

Genres: Fantasy, Gritty, Mythical

Buddy Clark's father finds a job which Buddy - rightly - suspects to be dodgy.

A typical story of a young teenager in a separated family, with his father involved in criminal circles. A small smattering of vulgarity. Not especially memorable.

Genres: Boys, Gritty, Growing-Up

Trinity is a contemporary Catholic boys' high school in the States, run by an order of brothers.

A Catholic school dominated by a shadowy group of masterful students, vice-happy and with no fear of authority.

Genres: Gritty, School

A man tyrannises his family, driving them to despair in one form or another.

Genres: Family, Gritty

Jake lives with his mother and her violent boyfriend.

Genres: Family, Gritty

Nick Miller (mid-teenage) is forced by his older brother's motorcycle gang - which he secretly wishes to join - to become friendly with Joseph Fisher, whose family run a small shop out on the fens.

Genres: Gritty, Moral Issue

Stan, 14, runs away from his foster home in London, trying to reach his brother in Ireland.

Genres: Gritty, Growing-Up