Michael Book 2 in the Norah's Children trilogy

Irish, orphaned, and abandoned, Michael aged three, is given to strangers who unjustly judge him inferior and pass him on again, this time to an exploitive spinster.
The novel explores the meanings of family to a child confused by loyalties to country, (England/ Ireland), and to family, (biological/ surrogate). 'Michael' ultimately celebrates the triumph of character over tragic circumstance.