Since his childhood, Benjamin Zephaniah has striven for the population to hear his voice, finding his own groove as his poetry and works bloomed through society. Terror Kid is a new take on Zephaniah's youth. One might even say it's what could have happened to him, had he not chosen another path.
Rico Federico is a British boy living in Birmingham, with Romany roots that tie him down to a lot of stereotypes. He has been unjustly arrested several times, but only due to the fact that he was present in the wrong situations. As they say, "Rico knows what trouble is", yet Rico doesn't do anything wrong.
As the book opens, Rico is portrayed as stunningly innocent. He has a love for computers, and works several technological jobs. It seems to be the center of his happiness. To be honest, I'm not one for squeaky-clean protagonists and happy endings, but I moved on. He accepts the fact that his heritage causes the people who live around him to assume that he has done wrong. He will live with the unjust treatment of the police, but the other people of Birmingham won't.
The entire city is exploding with riots against the police system. Even his best friend, Karima, is caught up in the excitement of it all, risking her life and reputation like the others. Yet Rico is always the one to stay out of it.
One day, a stranger confronts Rico with an amazing opportunity to help out a friend they have in common, using Rico's adept computer skills. Speech, as he calls himself, continues to correspond with Rico, and they develop a sincere relationship throughout several months. Speech continues to give Rico several odd jobs to do for him, yet as the riots and protests around them begin to get more serious, Speech reveals that he, too, is a part of the movement.
Then, in one shocking opportunity, Rico is allowed a little fun with his computers but he is far from knowing just what harm he has done.
This is where it gets juicy.
Soon Rico has locked himself in a world of trouble, dragging his friends, family, and nation along with him. In this stunning and powerful turn of events, Terror Kid is an unstoppable page-turner.
Rico Federico? Innocent? You must be joking…
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