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Transworld has acquired a childhood memoir by Labour MP and former home secretary Alan Johnson.
Publisher Doug Young bought UK and Commonwealth rights including serial from Andrew Kidd at Aitken Alexander Associates to This Boy, with publication date to be confirmed.
The book begins with the marriage of Alan's parents in post-war London and covers his early years of poverty in 1950s Notting Hill. When Alan was eight, his father abandoned the family, and his mother died when he was 13, leaving his older teenage sister Linda to raise him.
Johnson described the book as "the story of two incredible women, my mother and my sister". He said: "Whilst it will touch on tragedy and record our poverty, I hope it will also reflect the vibrancy and optimism of a community that has all but vanished."
The one-time contender for Labour leader has been MP for Hull West and Hessle since 1997, and was home secretary between June 2009 and May 2010. He has also held other cabinet positions including health secretary and education, and has also served as shadow chancellor of the exchequer.