Slum Boy cover art

Slum Boy

A Portrait

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About this listen

 'A heart-breaking, inspiring read' ALAN CUMMING
'ONE OF THE MOST MOVING ACCOUNTS OF NON-FICTION EVER WRITTEN' GUARDIAN
'If you like Shuggie Bain, then Slum Boy is for you' LEMN SISSAY
John MacDonald is a four-year-old boy growing up in the slums of Glasgow. His mother is an addict who leaves him starving in their flat for days at a time.

When a neighbour files a report, John is wrenched away from her and dropped into the care system. There, he has experiences he's too young to understand which his Romani adoptive parents silence as he grows into a gay man.

But John dreams of being reunited with his mother and will stop at nothing to find her. Slum Boy is about how, against all odds, John found a way to his mother and true identity: JUANO DIAZ.

'Remarkable' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

In 2024, Juano Diaz was awarded the Pride Award for LGBTQ+ Heroes Changing the World.
'Beautiful. I hope it finds a million readers' ANDREW O'HAGAN©2024 Juano Diaz (P)2024 Orion Publishing Group Limited Abuse Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Parenting & Families Poverty & Homelessness Relationships Social Sciences Inspiring Heartfelt
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Despite the trauma and tragedy, this is an inspiring read. Beautifully read by the author.

Moving

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this book is an amazing read , I highly recommend it. this young boy has been to hell and back through the care system. it makes you laugh and then cry. brilliant read .

amazing

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This is a beautiful, yet harrowing tale about a young boy’s search for belonging. Brought to life through the voice of the author, Young John/ Juano will stay with you long after listening to his story.

For fans of Shuggie Bain.

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Such a well written book! The narrator describes horrific situations with vivid clarity and delivers his story with graphic detail and raw emotion combined with a touch of humour, it makes the book difficult to put down. An inspiring story of poverty, neglect, abuse and survival. Highly recommend.

Heart breaking, vivid and truly inspirational

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I can't stop thinking about Slum Boy and didn't want it to end. I'd love to hear the last part of how Juano got to where he is now in Book 2, I've never rooted for a person in a book so much. Here's to the Sister Paulines, adoptive families and Hannahs who give kids like John the hope they deserve x

Heartbreaking and inspiring

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