‘a funny, evocative memoir that perfectly captures a significant slice of Australian life.’ Peter FitzSimons

It is the end of 1961 and the New South Wales country town of Albury lies flat on its back in the sun, swatting flies, with its feet sticking out over the mighty Murray River into Victoria. Everything is on the cusp of something else.

A battle royal rages as Alburnians present a united front against the dreaded prospect of fluoridation of the town’s water supply. This monstrous plot must be stopped in its tracks; the people of Albury insist on their sacred right to let their teeth, and those of their children, rot.

Through this furore, local larrikin Charles Waterstreet, aged eleven, and his mate Taillight roam the parks and highways of their home town and discover the real hidden horror of childhood: everything is what it seems.

‘This is a story for every person who has ever been on the threshold of change … A story of larrikins, rival pubs, words of wisdom and wistfulness from the inhabitants of a small town by the border.’ William McInnes

'brilliantly and hilariously captures the humour, tragedy and poignancy of what it was like to be a young boy growing up in rural Australia’ Woman's Day