This unusual book tells vividly the story of children who have broken the law and their treatment from the time of King Athelstan to present day. With few exceptions, they suffered for centuries the same harsh treatment as older men and women, and it was only gradually that the terrible conditions in the prisons in this and other countries improved The early experiments in wiser treatment are graphically described and the efficacy of modern reformative measures is clearly demonstrated Legislation affecting young offenders is explained and the book should prove most valuable to all those who have responsibility for dealing with difficult children