Bulwick School: A Yankee Lad in London

Award-winning author, Robert A. Lytle, tells the story of fourteen-year-old Michael Hanlon who has suffered an unimaginable loss. At the fore of his teen years both his parents are killed in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Left an orphan, he moves in with his only living relative...a fiery Irishman whose political activities have forced him to make a new home in London. But thanks to charity and the proceeds from his parents' estate, Michael leaves The Big Apple with a fortune-unbeknownst to him, enough money to put him on the right path for life. Time spent with his wayward uncle isn't all for naught. Michael learns that his parents had a frightening and violent history in Ireland before immigrating to the United States. His father in particular, a folk hero in the Irish Republican Army, was responsible for the deaths of many people. His father also had a gift for moving people to tears and action through music. The wily uncle also seemed to put Michael's best interests at heart by insisting he attend one of London's most tony prep schools. But it's also through Michael's uncle that Mr. Pearse Devlin comes into the picture...he's a criminal bottom feeder with designs on Michael's fortune and wicked plans for his newfound friends. Attending one of London's most prestigious schools for boys proves much less challenging than Michael feared. He's accepted almost without incident by the boys, thanks to a good group of mates who cherish his friendship and show him the ropes. He's a superb student, he stands up to bullies, and he becomes a school rugby star. But when Mr. Devlin comes calling, Michael must rely on his new links to save his life and help him carry on. Through his trials, Michael turns to music for comfort and inspiration. He discovers that he shares his father's unique musical talents, and by learning his father's Irish family history and the English history of his newfound best mate, Michael must answer this question...will he cling to his family's violent past or seek to make world peace with his newfound friends?