Runaways

About this book

11-year-old July is worried about her mum. Mum’s best friend is back in her life, and July’s scared that Mum will slide back to her unreliable, drug-taking ways. Bee, July’s old foster mum, will know what to do. But Bee’s phone number doesn’t work. So July goes to Bournemouth to find Bee.  

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Jamie is fed up with Mum’s snobby new boyfriend. He really misses his dad but his mum won’t let him contact him. And when the boyfriend lets slip a secret about Jamie’s dad, Jamie sees red. There’s an awful accident, and a terrified Jamie runs away. Maybe Aunty Liz, in Bournemouth, will understand.  

Two children are in desperate circumstances, and in their quest to find help, they try to help each other. But when you have nowhere to sleep, there is danger everywhere you turn... 

This is a cracking, page-turning read. E.L. Norry captures the worries of young people perfectly, including the feeling of being helpless, and conversely, the feeling that you must look after a parent. 

This story will spark empathy in readers, and might lead to thoughtful conversations about being homeless, and about having honest conversations within families.