Gypsy Boy - Mikey Walsh

Mikey was born into a Romany Gypsy family. They live in a closeted community, and little is known about their way of life. After centuries of persecution Gypsies are wary of outsiders and if you choose to leave you can never come back.

This is something Mikey knows only too well.

Growing up, he didn't go to school, he seldom mixed with non-Gypsies and the caravan became his world. It was a rich and unusual upbringing and Mikey grew up surrounded by a memorable cast of eccentrics, including his three-foot tall grandmother- a fierce matriarch who didn't let her diminutive stature get in her way, and his flame-haired mother with a penchant forDynasty, Angel Delight and electric blue mascara...

But although Mikey inherited a vibrant and loyal culture his family's legacy was bittersweet with a hidden history of violence and grief.

Eventually Mikey was forced to make an agonising decision - to stay and keep secrets, or escape and find somewhere to belong.