Until Proven Guilty

by Nigel Hinton

When Nathan's father is arrested on suspicion of murder, his whole life falls apart. He's shunned at school, bullied by neighbours, targeted by vigilantes. Nathan clings onto the hope he can prove his father's innocence - but what if he can't? And what if his father is guilty?

Genres: Crime

Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Nigel Hinton was born and educated in London. After two years in advertising, he worked as an English teacher for nine years. His first novel, Collision Course (winner of the Dutch Silver Pen Award) was written as a result of a challenge from one of his pupils. He began teaching part-time and also worked as a professional actor before concentrating on his writing.

Nigel is the ever-popular author the Beaver Towers series of stories for primary school readers (which has been adapted for TV), and, for secondary school readers, he wrote the Buddy trilogy. His novel The Finders won him the Federation of Children’s Book Groups Award.

Reviews

[Laura Stenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book, it’s one of those that I would happily read again.

[Sigourney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant for what it is - dyslexia friendly and an excellent classroom resource for young or struggling readers.

[Rayhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I chose this book:
I was in the library and I was looking for a short book to read. I found this book, and I read the blurb. I found the blurb amusing and quite breath-taking. I looked at the front cover and it looked like a mystery, so I read it

Bingo board:
It has a male main character in it.
Nathan is a boy which is possibly 10-13 years old. He lives in England and enjoys watching and playing soccer, he also plays for a club. He is a normal boy, he has friends, goes to school, has a little sister, and goes fishing with his dad.

Interesting character:
I found his Dad interesting. The book was mainly about Nathan losing his dad, and his Dad going to prison. Nathan's Dad went through a lot of trouble with the police. Since he doesn't see his family very often, he might even never see his family again.

Favorite quote:
There was a quote that Nathan's Dad said to Nathan when he came back from prison that I really liked.
" There is a lot of people in the world, and they could do things unimaginable. Even though they did things so dark they are not monsters, they are just like us."
I liked it because it was true, and it makes people equal. "Even though they did things so dark they are not monsters, they ate just like us." That bit made me feel good, because no matter what you did, there will be people that will forgive you.

Something new I learned:
That people will believe what they see on TV. When the police said that Nathan's Father was responsible for the killing, it was on television and the newspaper. People violated Nathan's family and their property, even though it was on the television and the newspaper it was not true. People did not have the right to vandalize their house with graffiti, and no one had the right to criticize them.

[Sheilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book for me was a quick read and I enjoyed it thoroughly as a break from larger books. This is a great book for someone with dyslexia with short chapters and easy to read text and font. The book describes what families of suspected criminals go through whether it is abuse in the street, abusive calls or simply arson, the family had nothing to do with it so they shouldn't be ostracised for another persons crime.

[Dahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great quick read! It has a good twist at the end and really makes you feel for the main character. It ties up very easily and cleanly at the end, which isn’t exactly real life, but it is a book intended for younger audiences so it makes sense for in that respect. I’ll be teaching it to my grade 9 students.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and it was so eye catching to me when I first came across it in school so, I took it home, read it and it was just fantastic. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for something new... 5 STARS ⭐️

[Megan ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't that bad but it wasn't that good either

[bellabaom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the library sales table. And I’m so happy I did. It was a good little short read. Actually what I needed.

[Abdulla Gallow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

[Reetta Saine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miksei meillä ole tällaisia kirjoja suomeksi??? Dyslexia friendly -tarralla varustetut kirjat ovat loistavia kirjastokäytössä.

Alle sata sivua, oikea juoni, jännitystä, KIRJA!!

Isää epäillään murhasta ja poika joutuu käymään läpi niin äidin väsymyksen, pikkusiskon ymmärtämättömän surun, lehtimiesten piinan, koulukavereiden kiusaamisen, lakimiehen kuulustelut ja omat epäilyksensä.

Hiukan ollaan sormi pystyssä, mutta 14-vuotias päähenkilö ja tapettu nuori prostituoitu yhdistettynä omaan isään on ihan kivaa kamaa kuitenkin.

[Claude · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this, M-Tear must admit that she was expecting so much more. It was too short, more likely for someone under the ages of ten or eleven, but it mentioned a few themes that wouldn't be appropriate, like not only the fact that the book's plot is about a murder, but it also mentions rape.
All in all though, it's not a book that M-Tear will be reading again.

[Hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is amazing. just amazing. i could read easily even i am from non-speak English country, but it was really easy to read. The book was really interesting ever i read before. i am so proud of Nathan which can proof that he's dad was not murder the girl. It's really amazing book and i want to recommend this book to my friend. Thanks to author which made this awesome book!

[Tessie]

This book was different, but not one of the best I've read.

The story was good but the book could have describe it more.

And not be that fast.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've picked this book to read with some teens with dyslexia, etc. Have to say I found the story a bit predictable but not patronising.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!