SOLVED. Child commits suicide because of bullying by step brother [s]

[Jonathan]

I read this book in 1999 when I lived in England. I am not 100% certain that the book was set in the UK but almost 90% sure.

It was assigned in my first year of high school in England (equivalent of 8th grade) so was probably young adult fiction.

I only recall a few things about the book (SPOILERS SORRY):

1. It thematically addressed bullying.
2. The main character is a boy (likely between the age of 8-14)
3. The main character's parent remarries and he gets a step-brother.
4. This step-brother is profoundly psychologically manipulative and bullies the main character (I can't remember if it ever gets violent but definitely psychologically).
5. There was something about a dead butterfly collection (I believe one of the parents collected them).
6. The main character's parent is oblivious of the bullying.
7. Eventually the main character either commits, contemplates, or is about to commit suicide, I believe by drowning himself in a river or a lake.
8. I think the author was female but not very certain.

[Isabel (kittiwake)]

It's a long time since I read it, but it could be I'm the King of the Castle by Susan Hill.

[Jonathan]

Isabel wrote: "It's a long time since I read it, but it could be I'm the King of the Castle by Susan Hill."

YES! That was it. Thank you very much. I was very much haunted by it when I read it as a teenager. Anyhow, thanks again--I've been trying to find out the name of this book for literally 3 years, going as far as to call my old school in England from Canada, to no avail.

[Isabel (kittiwake)]

I'm glad I was able to help.