Victor Malarek is known to most Canadians as a tough investigative journalist who is willing to delve into stories revealing the worst side of human nature. His previous books investigate the clients of prostitutes, and the women who break the hearts of Canadians whom they marry only to gain citizenship.

In this classic book, Malarek turns his investigative talent on his own past. He has written the story of how he grew up as a street kid in Montreal, caught up in the world of boys' homes, social workers, probation officers, and petty crime.

Malarek was only ten when Children's Aid took him and his two brothers away from his family to an institution for boys. He was seventeen when an unusual judge chose to give him a second chance. Through that lucky break--and a lot of hard work--Victor Malarek was able to give his life a different direction. But for a long time it was touch and go, as this compelling book makes very clear.

Hey Malarek! is as fresh and relevant today as it was when it was first written. In the epilogue to this new edition, Victor Malarek muses on how he managed to find a different path for his life, despite having all the cards stacked against him, and reflects on what his story means for other kids--and for the world of social workers, police officers, and others who deal with Canada's most disadvantaged youth.

VICTOR MALAREK has been a journalist for four decades. He began his career as a copy boy at Weekend Magazine in 1968. From 1990 to 2000, Malarek was one of the hosts for CBC Television's The Fifth Estate. In 2000 he became the investigations editor for The Globe and Mail. Today, he is a senior investigative reporter on CTV's current affairs show, W5. Often described as a champion for the underdog, Malarek has worked on many stories for W5, including "Forgotten Children," a look at children left languishing in orphanages overseas, and "Let Me Go," a thoughtful investigation of the debate around euthanasia.

In 1997, he won a Gemini Award as Canada's top broadcast journalist. Malarek has also received four Michener Awards-three during his tenure with The Globe and Mail and the other at The Fifth Estate. Malarek is the author of six books.

MICHELE LANDSBERG is an award-winning journalist who is often described as “a fearless advocate for women and children.? She has published four best-selling books, including Writing the Revolution and Women and Children First.

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Michele Landsberg began her career with The Globe and Mail in the 1960s and moved to Chatelaine Magazine in the 70s, under the editorship of Doris Anderson, before moving to the Star. She is the author of three best-selling books: Women and Children First, Michele Landsberg’s Guide to Children’s Books and “This is New York, Honey!”. She continues her work as an activist, and is a regular reviewer of children’s books on CBC Radio. Michele lives in Toronto with her husband, Stephen Lewis.

Michele Landsberg's profile page