I. R. Walker - Author

Nobby's Diary

I am well aware of homeless people in Britain and donate to Shelter as you can see the plight of homelessness has gone on too long. I have come across a book such as a Street Cat Named Bob which concerned homeless people but to be honest I am not sure just how many are out there. London 35 years ago the newspaper industry is changing and moving out of the famous Fleet Street area. Tradition is ending, but what about the people who relied on the warmth of the buildings at night as the papers rolled off the press - a hive of activity and somewhere to call home on those long cold nights.  The story centres around Nobby and old homeless man who has relied on this area with his friends and it was home. Spencer a boy finds Nobby in his shed and the two become friends next Spencer then introduces Nobby to his friends -as Spencer's father works in the newspaper industry thus begins a plight of the homeless people - this is not just a 21st-century problem.  this is about friendship and friendship in unusual circumstances and not writing this man off as a tramp or vagrant and there are aspects that are slightly off the wall - even 35 years go when Spencer is missing from his family for a number of days -with strangers - but saying that it is a powerful piece of writing. These people know the area and with some help, they go on to help Nobby write articles in a newspaper. Powerful story of trust, friendship bonded in unusual circumstances and times where the reader will laugh - a really good read. Jane Brown, A LoveReading Ambassador