Replacement Kid — David Drake (1)

One dark, cold, November night, twelve-year old Zach is dumped, kicking and screaming, into the county orphanage. With his mother suddenly gone, he begins testing a relationship with the wise, old, white-bearded handyman. Rocky at first, it develops into a loving friendship. Zach systematically undermines the attempts to place him into foster and adoptive homes. A final crisis when his old friend is seriously injured near Christmas, helps the boy set his life straight. The story is fun, touching, and rewarding reading for all ages.