Young Shoulders by John Wain

"Young Shoulders" is a coming-of-age novel about a 10-year-old boy living in a small English town during World War II. The protagonist struggles with the harsh realities of war, the death of his father, and his mother's mental health issues. Despite the difficulties, he finds solace in his love for literature and his friendship with a local bookseller. The narrative explores themes of loss, resilience, and the power of literature.

The 10346th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 6

Since this book was first published in 1982, there is a penalty of 12.8%. The age adjusted score is 5.23.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.