This short novel begins with Nelson playing a pretend game with his younger sister Ashley, six. It starts when Ashley begins to complain about being hungry which Nelson is as well, but the 'game' has to do with them both trying to convince themselves they aren't hungry. He checks in all the cupboards, but nothing there to help, nor in the fridge, so they must wait until Mum gets home. They both know that this is a 'Really Tricky Month' and that Mum will not be able to buy anything. Tomorrow will be 'food bank day' the best day of the week. Mum is a nurse, and sometimes she just doesn't have the money to get the food they all need. The food bank is 'the best bank in the world' according to Nelson. But until then, they will go hungry. When she gets home, Mum makes a very unusual meal for them out of one egg, a tin of beans, and some cornflakes and jam, which does little for their hunger. At school next day there is Breakfast Club, which helps, and free dinners too, so it is evenings that are the tough times. Never mind, thinks Nelson, tomorrow all will be well - until the next time. He is a super jolly lad who makes the best of everything, and he is very capable helping out with Ashley too. Dad has left them all for a 'new family', so he is no help. School comes, along with Nelson's best friends, Harriet and Krish, both of whom know about Nelson's problems, but are sensitive about offers of help. Sometimes they bring extra food to school for him, which is nice but embarrassing. Going to the food bank that afternoon, Mum and Ashley and Nelson discover something terrible. Food has been disappearing from the trolleys in the local supermarkets and there is little on the shelves. They leave with only two bags instead of their usual four. This is bad news indeed, although they do have a good dinner that night. Much of the rest of the story is about Nelson, Krish and Harriet planning a stake-out at their local shop to find the thieves, which they do in spades, with a very exciting climax when Nelson stands in front of the car about to drive off with a huge boot full of food, joined by a whole car park full of supporting people. It's great stuff, but the main point of the book is how food banks save real people from real hunger and that theft from hungry folk is a dreadful crime. Nelson is a hero, as are Harriet and Krish (and Ashley who has excitedly come along for the ride). It's a good story, beautifully told, and produced with Barrington Stoke cream paper and good black and white illustrations. There is lots of good information about food banks and breakfast clubs, and some of the proceeds from the book will go to the Trussell Trust (food banks) and Greggs Foundation (breakfast clubs) - both very worthwhile schemes. A rare story about this huge problem for many in our communities.