Mo, by Toby Heale

Mo is the love story of two marginalized teens living in beautiful New Zealand today. But their outlook is for the life reserved for minorities; to be sidelined. Unexpected events separate both Mo and Tilly from their home lives and they go their different ways. Mo's journey takes him to a 'promised land' where he does not just see over his horizon, but goes there. He discovers a desire to learn and revels in the confidence gained from competence. He learns trust and love and he learns the difference between being contained and being engaged. From his new viewpoint he sees a new world and he likes it. But his past life grabs him and draws him back into the shadows.

He and Tilly are reunited only to discover they are involved in a Tale-of-our-Times. The 'god in the machine' wants to know why and how the schoolchildren's situation has degraded to the lamentable standards they have achieved. It also wants to know how to improve those standards and it wants to explore the causes. Mo and Tilly are at the centre of the turmoil as all today's givens are exposed and challenged. Their boundaries collapse so that their horizon explodes with possibilities and opportunities bloom. The timeless spirit of Robin Hood is reborn after a thousand years of neglect to inspire their ambition. As the Sherwood Clan they emerge from the shadowy life of a minority to challenge and defeat today's abusers in the commercial world. The true hidden enemies of all people. The minority are elevated to become heroes to the majority. And, as in all successful groups, humour bubbles to the surface.

Bitter revenge inspires one of the robber barons to set a trap for Robin Hood and the Sherwood Clan to bring them down. Mo and Tilly find themselves embroiled and separated again. This time it is really serious and even the 'god in the machine' needs some help. When Mo is finally able to walk, he does so, and not believing that he has finally escaped from his past, he goes to ground. He knows no one can find him there, but that includes Tilly.

Tilly has resolve and she has faith and she loves Mo. But even with strength those may not be enough and finally exhaustion will mix with defeat to create despair. 'But, do you believe in signs?'

Mo is a thought-promoting and humorous tale-of-our-times that is relevant to everyone today. Mo is written to be enjoyed and hopefully readers will want to go back and read it again and again, because, hopefully it will continue to yield and amuse.

• Buy at Amazon