Cuckoo in the Nest by Fran Hill

Cuckoo in the Nestis told from the viewpoint of 14-year-old uber intelligent, poet-in-waiting Jackie Chadwick. This is the voice of a young girl whose world is falling apart. Her mother has died from cancer, her father, an alcoholic is rude and at times physically abusive. So much so, Jackie ends up at A&E.

He was face down on the bed, his bulky frame vanquished by the drink: on his face and off his face at the same time. He had his shirt on but no trousers, only grey Y-fronts. The usual late afternoon uniform. At first, I thought he was awake, but then he snored, suddenly, like an engine being revved.

Jackie’s teachers though are observant and determined that Jackie will be looked after despite the girl’s protestations and inform Social Services, after which she is allocated a Social Worker.