Byrne, Michael. LOTTERY BOY

Byrne, Michael. 

LOTTERY BOY
Somerville : Candlewick, 2016
IL YA
ISBN  0763679968

Bully is a 12 year old street kid.  His mum has died and he ran away from his step-dad.  It isn't easy living on the street but he has his dog to keep him company.  And he has the memories of his mum.  His prized possession is a birthday card that she recorded.  He tries not to play it too often since he doesn't want the battery to run out.  But he can't help it.  He just needs to hear her voice again. This time he finds something hidden in the card.  It is a lottery ticket. He actually bought it for her but she must have tucked it into the card for him.  Thinking that he might have won a few pounds, he stops into a shop and has it run through the machine.  Turns out he has won the big one.  The whole thing. Millions. But he only has 5 days to claim his prize. And he has to be over 16. Bully has to come up with a plan to get to the claims office and find someone who is at least 16 that he can trust to cash the ticket. And when the word gets out that he has the ticket, all sorts of bad people are out to take it away from him.

Podcast: https://spark.adobe.com/video/HqjmuS76EJ3RL