Far too many people think that poverty is about people not working or about them being “lazy”. It seems to me that our society has lost its empathy for poor people partly because of TV shows like Benefits Britain, and constant negative news stories.

But the truth is that poor people aren’t just numbers. And they aren’t just stereotypes either, to be picked on or shouted at. In writing about Jacob and his mum, I wanted them to be characters that showed the human face of poverty. Real, everyday people who have almost nothing and who struggle to survive. I also wanted Jacob to be one of those lads who everyone thinks is a “lost cause”. I refuse to believe that any child is past saving. And I cannot stand the massive gap between the richest and the poorest. I think it is unjust and immoral.

Of course, Jacob’s life isn’t easy. But that doesn’t mean that he – or you – should give up. There are no easy answers and no shortcuts to happiness – although great friends can make life feel much better. It’s true that sometimes hope can seem lost, but it is always there, however hard it might be to find.

But The Harder They Fall is more than a story about food banks, poverty and “lost causes”. More than anything, it’s about friendship and hope, and looking after the people you care about. I wanted this story to be funny and interesting and exciting. And I wanted it to make you, my readers, think about the society in which we live. I hope you enjoy reading it as much I enjoyed writing it.

Warmest wishes
Bali Rai

When life feels really hard

Jacob in The Harder They Fall is vulnerable to feeling suicidal. His grandfather killed himself, and now he feels so intensely negative about his own life that he cannot see the point in carrying on. Jacob is able to talk with his friends about how he feels, but mental illness is something many people find very difficult to talk about.

If you are struggling with how you feel and need to talk, you can call these free helplines. They offer comfort, advice and protection to children and young people.

Childline (UK)
0800 1111

Samaritans (UK)
116 12

Our books are tested
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Thanks to everyone who consulted on
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Copyright

First published in 2017 in Great Britain by
Barrington Stoke Ltd
18 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7LP

This ebook edition first published in 2022

www.barringtonstoke.co.uk

Text © 2017 Bali Rai

The moral right of Bali Rai to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in any part in any form without the written permission of the publisher