Jez Walker lives in care - in Lazarus House, an institution run with ferocious rigour by the terrifying Big Mother and by the bullies - Hodge, Maggot and Spaz - when her back is turned.

He has no family of his own, a history of stealing cars, arson and petty crime; a bleak past and what looks like an even bleaker future.

But Jez triumphs in the end, largely due to his growing friendship with Mags, a girl in his class, his old mate Macker - and the help of an imaginary dog called Star, who is born in the clouds one dark night, who becomes his guardian, friend and saviour, and shows him how imagination and friendship can triumph over evil.