ABANDONED. Boy reminiscing while climbing to girlfriend in a building about to be demolished.

[Fawwaz]

The book involves a boy reminiscing about his life while climbing up the side of a building scheduled for demolition, where his less fortunate girlfriend lives.

I was 8 when I read this, so the language should be fairly simple (but I was very good at English, say 14 year old level), and the book was very obviously meant for a much older audience. Probably young adult. I believe the title had the word "climb" in it, but am not sure. The cover was dark in colour and showed the main character scaling the side of the building, if I remember correctly.

The boy was bullied while young, to the point of being urinated on, but later took over the gang of bullies. I believe he corrected their behaviour, but am not sure.

In one scene, he has broken his arm. It is in a cast. His family visits relatives they rarely see. His female cousin attempts to have sex with him in what I think was a greenhouse - or somewhere with plants or to do with plants. I believe. They don't get to it (I think) because he hurts himself (with the broken arm, I believe).

His girlfriend's family is very poor, living in a derelict old building. I remember something about her wearing a bra made of paper bags.

There was one scene wear a popular celebrity passed through the streets and women in the audience (including one old lady who started the whole thing) bared their breasts to said celebrity.

I would appreciate any help with discovering the name and author of this book. I want to see what more I can get from it, now that I am older.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What country is it set in? What year did you read it?

[Fawwaz]

I'm not sure where it is set, but it seem like the England, or maybe the US. I read it... 2004? 2005 maybe? But the copy I read seemed older than that. The pages were yellowing, but most of my library's books were like that, regardless of age.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Fawwaz, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Fawwaz]

Still looking

[Fawwaz]

Though at this point, I don't expect to find it

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Don't give up. It's only been 2 1/2 years, which is not all that long in this group.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Are the characters white, black, other, mixed, etc.? Is it set in a city, or more like a town?

[Ann aka Iftcan]

And another reason to not give up even at 2.5 years is--you haven't been bumping up the thread. Every 30 to 90 days to keep it in the forefront of people's minds.

[Kym]

The Climb by Libby Hathorn?

You can see the cover here -

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/li...

Summary from Worldcat -

Peter's father stood up to the fascist regime and subsequently disappeared. Peter, now finds himself accepted by the gang who sympathise with the regime, but bullied him as a youngster. Should he collude with them and betray his conscience - or start a new life with his hidden girlfriend?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Still looking now?

[Rainbowheart]

The Climb for Kym's suggestion.

[Capn]

Fawwaz, if you are still around, we also have this list to look through.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Though Kym seems to have suggested something pretty solid...

[Kris]

Note: Fawwaz (OP) was last active on the site in December 2018.

[Capn]

(Sigh.) Why do people do that?! Kym had nailed it, too, it seems. Pity!

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Fawwaz (OP) was last active on the site in December 2018.