The Fourth "R"

A precocious five-year-old's exceptional intellect and curiosity propel him from a comfortable household into dangerous urban situations, where he is drawn into petty criminal work as a spotter. The narrative is organized in four books that trace successive phases of his life—early improvisation, withdrawal into solitude, active rebellion, and eventual maturation—and follows how education, environment, and moral choices interact to shape his growth. Scenes alternate between domestic scenes, streetwise apprenticeship, and inner conflict as the boy confronts the consequences of his talents and the social forces around him.