It's about a class of low achieving boys who are given sacks of flour to look after as if they were babies. The sacks are regularly weighed and checked for cleanliness and so on, and the boys are told they're being watched. Mostly the boys come to hate their "babies," although there is also some fondness. One boy, deserted by his father, works out his feelings on the flour baby; another sets up, and charges for, a crèche.
Very entertaining, funny and moving but not patronising.
Thoroughly recommended.
Doreen 21/4/02
By the same author