Book Haven discussion

I'm trying to remember the title of a book I read when I was younger.

The book was about a boy who started life as a beggar on a planet somewhere. I think he was sold to a family of interstellar traders and we follow his life has he goes though life.

I know it's not much to go on, the book is at least 30 years old if that's any help.

Anyone have any clues?

The book sounds like Robert Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy. The boy was a slave, sold to an apparent beggar who was more than what he seemed. He wasn't sold to the interstellar traders, but joined them under other circumstances that would be a spoiler to recite. The boy's original identity also becomes an issue.

Boom!

That's the one!

Nice catch Karen.

Glad to help out! :-)