Sink or Swim

Timid William is bullied at school by Big Mark. Together with his friends at school, he decides that ignoring Big Mark is the best strategy, and it works well in the school playground. That night after school Mark follows William home and events take a dramatic turn, as Mark accidentally knocks a buggy with a toddler in it into the river. Mark raises the alarm to the emergency services, whilst William heroically rescues the toddler and dedicates the rescue to his dad who, we discover, died some time ago. William's timidness is perhaps overplayed in the early part of the story and the fact that the children don't attempt to enlist the support of adults in addressing Mark's bullying behaviour is a little worrying. However, the story has a satisfying end with William's heroism being acclaimed and Big Mark showing that he hasn't really changed for the better. There is also a nice portrayal of the difficulties faced by single working parents in juggling work and child-care.