Childhood is a fertile territory for writers. Almost all first-time authors hoe it, and some continue to do so for the rest of their careers. Given the chance, most people cannot resist the impulse to reminisce about the horrors and delights of being a child.

What is that makes children resilient? This is the central question of Pamela Bone’s book. It has become common wisdom that parental violence, separation from a mother, sibling rivalry, neglect and sexual abuse can do permanent harm, or can at least affect a child for the rest of his or her life. Some children never recover and are never able to lead normal lives. But other people emerge, if not unscathed, then at least able to function.