First Thoughts

The Kid, Sapphire Hamish Hamilton, €17.15

SAPPHIRE’S new novel picks up years after her previous book Push, which was turned into award-winning film Precious, starring Gabourey Sidibe and Mariah Carey.

Following the tragic death of his mother Precious, nine-year-old Abdul Jones is left to fend for himself. With no guardian or other family, Harlem-based Abdul is forced to move from a foster home to the troubled St Ailanthus boys’ school with other orphans, where he is abused, both mentally and physically, and later leaves to stay with a woman who claims to be his great-grandmother.