Mark Beech

When Rollo rescues a girl called Rory from life with her wicked uncle and aunts, little does he realise what he's taking on. Before long he's teaching her to row, making her a wooden pirate's leg and cruising the river in search of hidden treasures. But with pirate Black Jack and his crew on their tail, Rollo and Rory must keep their wits about them to survive.

'Hi ludo dont be sad im your friend': this was my first text message to the boy. Not bad, was it? Not for a hamster. Ludo says I'm a genius, but I know he is as well. We have something else in common, too; we both want to escape, and to explore the outside. Just two problems. His parents, and the cat.