The book contains snapshots of a family and a boy growing up during the hungry thirties when there was no employment available for the breadwinner of the family. It depicts the outbreak of war and the attempts that were made to survive a very bad situation. The mothers ingenuity and high spirit endure to ensure survival and the fathers determination to find and retain employment in the most difficult of circumstances is depicted. The families experiences during the war and evacuation are coupled with life for children in and out of school at these times.
This story is based on life in West Belfast during the 1930's.