Disgraceful tale to read to a backward lad (7)
I believe the answer is:
scandal
'disgraceful tale' is the definition.
'scandal' can be an answer for 'tale' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'disgraceful' bit.
'read to a backward lad' is the wordplay.
'read' becomes 'scan' (scanning is a kind of reading).
'to a backward' says the letters should be written backwards.
'lad' back-to-front is 'dal'.
'scan'+'dal'='SCANDAL'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scandal that I've seen before include "subject for play school" , "Shock" , "Public outrage; gossip" , "Malicious gossip" , "Something shameful or disgraceful, often public" .)