Visiting Gleebooks the other day I spied this book which was published in 2025. I had not heard of the author EL Norry but the cover looked intriguing.
I would call this a collision story. Dreadful things have happened to these two kids who come from very different backgrounds, but life events mean that they do meet or as I have said collide.
July has been in foster care on and off but recently she has moved back with her mother. Mum was caught up in drugs and alcohol, but she has been on a program, now has a job and has a plan for further study. Things should be good for July but then her mum invites an old (and dangerous) friend to stay and July is sure her mother will go back to her old habits, so July runs away hoping to find the last foster carer who was kind and understanding.
Jamie's dad has recently left the family and now his mum has moved in with a wealthy man called Garrett. Jamie is sure Garrett does not like him and now his mum has decided he will attend a posh school which means he won't be with his true friends. As the story begins Mum has gone away for a few days and Jamie is left with Garrett. Things do not go well and then Garrett bluntly tells Jamie that his dad is not just away - he is in jail. Jamie is furious and he pushes Garrett down the stairs at home. Convinced Garrett is now dead, Jamie runs away.
The voices of the two kids in this book are set out in two different fonts. It does take a long time in the story for these kids to meet each other and of course neither of them is prepared to share the truth about why they are now in Bournemouth. As is often the scenario for stories involving running away, over the course of the story July has her belongings stolen and later Jamie's money, bag and shoes go too.
I read Runaways in one sitting. It is an action-packed story that races towards an expected but not too predictable or saccharine happy ending.
Publisher blurb: Jamie and July are both eleven-year-olds living in London – but they have very different lives. They meet for the first time at Waterloo Station in the last week of the holidays. They are both desperate to get away from home. July is really worried about her unreliable mum - she needs to get help. Jamie has done something terrible - and left in a panic. Despite their worries, the sun is shining and, as they escape everything they've left behind in the city, Jamie and July can't help but sense adventure in the air. But running away isn't just harmless summertime fun. What are they really trying to escape? And will either Jamie or July find a place that finally feels like home?
July and Jamie learn some hard truths about life, love, the fallibility of parents and the strength of those they can really trust. Friendship and finding your way in life isn’t necessarily easy but there is always hope. Scope for Imagination
Alternating chapters gives each child a voice, allowing the reader to empathise with their actions as they experience the potential pitfalls and dangers of leaving home- being exploited, robbed, finding somewhere safe… E L Norry manages to handle these threats in an age appropriate way yet leaves the reader in no doubt as to how real these dangers are. However, this story is ultimately one of hope, one with a (two!) happy ending which leaves the reader uplifted and optimistic for Jamie and July’s futures. I really hope this book gains the recognition it deserves. Beautifully written, deeply moving, it is essential reading for everyone. Through the Bookshelf
About EL (Emma) Norry: I’m an author based in Bournemouth. I write fiction and non-fiction for 8-14 year olds (sometimes called MG, middle-grade). I also write many other things, including a couple of episodes of the UK soap opera, EastEnders. ... As a child, I grew up in the care system. I was born in Cardiff, Wales but moved around a lot. .... I’m passionate about diversity and inclusion and showing children that authors can come from different backgrounds.
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