ABANDONED. Book about orphan brothers sent to live on farm with an old couple who abuse them. The younger boy is the main charector.

[Becca]

I don't have any specific suggestions, sorry, but it might be on this list - Runaways in YA and Middle Grade Fiction.

[Rainbowheart]

Hank's Story

[Emily]

Could it be 'Alone on a Wide Wide Sea?' by Michael Morpurgo? It's in two parts, one -the story you describe, set in Australia (the boys came from England originally), and the other about a contemporary girl sailing on her own from Australia to England.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Daisy]

Gib Rides Home?

[Kris]

Sneaky, are you still looking for this book - or did you find it?

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Sneaky (OP) was last active on the site in May 2020.