Status Updates From Banana Boy

Frank runs away from Goldings, Barnardo's Technical School in Hertfordshire, and once recaptured gets a flogging for his troubles. Goldings is the most hellish of the Barnado three homes he stays in. Previously his lack of footballing prowess results in a beating too. Needless to say Frank cannot wait to get away - which he will be able to on his 16th birthday

Frank Norman spent nine years of his life in Dr. Barnado's Homes which are detailed in 'Banana Boy'. As in 'Bang to Rights' and 'Stand On Me' Frank writes with great insight, rarely dwelling upon the many deprivations. He highlights the lack of any love or affection as the root cause of his educational backwardness and general surliness and anger.

An entertaining and illuminating account of Frank's life as a Barnado Boy (Banana Boy). At age 11 he moves from Cardington Abbey to Kingston-upon-Thames having no longer been rated as educational subnormal. After an emotional goodbye to the inspirational Miss Love it's off to Kingston....

After the magical interlude of living in Onslow Square with his aristocratic foster parent Lady W and her friends and servants, Frank is brought down to earth on 3 April 1937, when c7 years old, he is relocated to Cardington, the Barnardo's home for backward children. Cardington ran an austere regime of religion and corporal punishment, which does not suit the rebellious and wayward Frank.