July & Jamie may be from different backgrounds, but they are both alone and can’t quite reach the person they think will be their protector. Rash decisions seemed to make sense for both of them at the time, but suddenly being homeless is overwhelming and a world away from solving their woes.

A book which will strike a chord with its core audience, as not only does it treat the main characters with respect and empathy, but Norry never short changes the reader while we shadow July & Jamie through their troubles. It's a rewarding read that I hope finds a home on a lot of bookshelves.

Running away story of two very different kids with problems.

I was instantly taken back to the early 90s when I read Ruth Thomas' book, The Runaways, when I saw this. While it's a different scenario, the idea of children 'running away' to escape problems or looking for answers is present, isn't new, and the concept needs bringing up with every generation. What child's mind has it not crossed?

Jamie looks older than his 11 years. His mother has a new boyfriend, and he isn't happy about moving in with this man he barely knows. After a confrontation and accident, Jamie panics and leaves the situation behind, heading for relatives a train ride away.

July is also 11. She lives with her mum, who July is hyperaware of - for any signs that her previous addictive behaviours are returning to separate them again. When her mum's old friend from wilder times returns and dangles temptation in her mum's face, July can only see help from a former foster parent, down the train line.

Of course, the two young people meet. Very different personalities, and hiding their family stories from each other, they nevertheless almost instinctively come together as they get further away from home and familiarity.

Any parent reading will be agitated at the idea of these children on their own with few resources and so much danger. To young readers, I'm sure this will fascinate, though the book goes into enough detail to show the potential dangers open to them both and the risks they are taking.

Putting the leads in different scenarios and sending the story down paths where they try to find answers and help, there are fortunately no scenes of harm or violence, and a slightly more upbeat and 'safe' conclusion than I was expecting.

The family scenarios are all too real, the children's reactions to them authentic, the leads are likeable and quite honourable as role models, despite the danger they put themselves in.

Hard to read this kind of thing as a parent, but the target market will feel the adventure of being alone vicariously through Jamie and July and even get some insight into how to deal with family problems... hopefully without resorting to similar acts.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

E.L. Norry's 'Runaways' is a poignant and thought-provoking middle-grade novel about two eleven-year-olds from very different worlds in London, both wanting to protect themselves from their home lives. July has just come back from foster care and is struggling with the memories of her recovering addict mother, while Jamie has escaped an unhappy arrangement with his mother's new boyfriend.
Their accidental encounter at Waterloo Station ignites a coincidental partnership as they travel together, both in search of a place that feels like home.

The author skillfully employs a two-way narrative to tap into sophisticated themes of family life, change, homelessness, and parental fallibility, while keeping the tone suitable for a child's age. The novel is praised for its realistic characters and engaging story, which draws readers into July and Jamie's quest for safety and belonging. 'Runaways' is an emotionally powerful and ultimately positive book that emphasizes the resilience of children and the surprising bonds that can be a lifeline.

Really loved this story. I smiled, I cried! Two troubled kids with the weight of the world on their shoulders... I'm so happy they found each other!

Two children from different circumstances meet up and spend time surviving. A great story showing friendship comes in different forms sometimes unexpectedly.

A really great book if you were a Jacqueline Wilson fan! July and Jamie come from different walks of life but meet by accident when they both run away from home for different reasons. Their journeys are intertwined and it makes for a gripping read.

Told with humour, empathy and a whole lot of heart, Runaways by E.L Norry is a story that will stay with you. Honest, authentic and powerful, it challenges readers to think about how two people with very different lives can feel so similar.

July has recently returned from foster care to live with her young mum, a recovering addict who struggles to hold down a job and make positive choices for their family. All their exciting plans and promises for the future never seem to happen. It's just the two of them since her grandmother's death and July often feels like the responsible adult. It's a lot of pressure for an 11 year old. When mum's old friend comes to stay, bringing bad habits of the past with her, July doesn't know what to do. Armed with her favourite book, "How They Survived", and the positive proverbs taught to her by her Nanna, she sets off to find her foster mum and get help.

Like July, Jamie feels lonely and like he has no one to turn too. Ever since his mum started dating Garrett, nothing is the same. Jamie wants to see his dad but because he works away on an oil rig, it just isn't possible. When Garrett suggests boarding school (without any of his friends from primary school) and constantly complains about his behaviour, Jamie doesn't know what to do. A carelessly revealed truth and a momentary lapse in judgement changes everything sending Jamie on the run. Will he ever be able to go home again?

These two runaways feel like there's nothing they can do to make things right. Traveling independently for the very first time, they're faced with money worries, dangerous people and unpredictable natural elements. They don't know who they can trust or where to turn next. Themes of transition, family dynamics, drugs and alcohol, racial profiling, injustice and homelessness create a very real adventure. July's knowledge of survival and her Nanna's wisdom sees her through but nothing could prepare either of them for all the emotions that come with being alone.

The use of language in Runaways is exceptional. 'Things adults say' and words of wisdom like 'Good things come to those who wait' or 'Where there's a will, there's a way' stand out in the text, providing readers with inspiring mantras to live by. 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.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley UK for an early read of this fantastic book!

I was drawn to Runaways having recently read reviews by book friends. Starting it on a Sunday evening, my first regret was that I'd picked it up at the end of the weekend and not the beginning!

Runaways tells the story in dual perspective of 2 very different people, Jamie and July. Through different circumstances, they meet at Waterloo Station and then again on the train to Bournemouth. Both intent on finding somebody they care for who they feel can help them with problems at home, the pair end up supporting each other because running away from home isn't as easy as they think it will be.

At first glance, July is strong and resilient; she's had a tough life so far but has known love, and she cares about those around her. She clearly worries a lot and, coupled with the grief she is carrying and the latest change in situation with her mother, she feels she has no choice but to take drastic action. Jamie, on the other hand, has lead a more sheltered life in many ways; however, although he lives in a nice house and there is money to spare, life is difficult for him at the minute. He's desperate to be heard and loved but he feels everyone is too busy for him. Despite only being 11 years old, both feel they have no option but to runaway.

I'm sure there are many of us who thought about running away when we were children, but that was just it, a thought. For July and Jamie, they feel they have no other option. Running away is a serious issue (as Norry states, over 100,000 children and young people go missing every year, with a third of those being 13 and under). Through Runaways, it's very easy to see how children can end up alone and with nowhere to sleep; it's a scary situation and the book portrays this well. The idea of forming a simple plan that falls apart when ideas don't fit into place quickly becomes a reality for July and Jamie, and I found myself incredibly pleased that the pair had each other.

Runaways is completely engaging and draws you in from the beginning (hence the reason why I wished I'd start it at the beginning of last weekend!). Readers will empathise with the characters and I think that's incredibly important in this book as this will undoubtedly instigate some interesting and important conversations.

Publishing on the 3rd July, Runaways is a book about searching for answers, family, forging friendships in times of need and being heard. With messages about staying safe, being brave and speaking up when you are worried deftly woven through the plot, readers will see that running away isn't the answer but finding a way to get your voice heard can be tricky.

This is a book I won't forget in a hurry.

Two 11-year-olds in very different life circumstances meet at Waterloo station for the first time at the end of the holidays. What they have in common though, is the fact that they're both in dire circumstances and want to run away from their situations.

July and Jamie are about to find out that few of life's problems can be solved so easily! Sensitive and insightful, this one is worth a read, scoring an easy 3.5 stars.

Jamie and July are both running away from very different lives but a chance encounter reveals that they have quite a bit in common, even if they don't know it yet. On the train from London to Bournemouth, both trying to hide the problems that made them run, they cautiously begin to get to know each other.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked the characters and really liked how the various adults behaved like adults and, more often than not, acted in a realistic way. A non-spoiler example of this is when July is hiding in a train toilet because she didn't have money for the full fare. The ticket inspector finds her crying and is kind and looks after her but still does his job. In so many stories, he would have been a "baddie" for the drama but he behaved in the way that I think most people would.

My only hesitation with giving this book the full five stars, is that it is very neatly tied up at the end and there are several significant but unlikely coincidences that the story relies on to move forward. I still really enjoyed it though and am not sure that this would bother the intended audience for the book.

The author sensitively but realistically raises some of the difficulties that many children face today and the more that this happens, the better for everyone.

All in all, this is a really good story, which I would happily recommend to the UKS2 children I work with.

July has experienced a chaotic life with her unstable Mum, living with her Nan and a foster family in her 11 years. She’s now back with her Mum who has promised to remain free from drugs and drink. But after a promised holiday falls through and her Mum’s friend who is a bad influence moves in, July decides to go to find her foster Mum who will help.
Jamie on the other hand has lived a sheltered life even when his Dad left them to work on oil rigs. But when his Mum moves them in with her new boyfriend whom Jamie suspects doesn’t like him, then announces she is going on a mini cruise with her friends, leaving Jamie with the boyfriend, Jamie is not happy. Garrett lets slip that Jamie’s Dad is not actually working on oil rigs and Jamie reacts violently and bolts out of the house grabbing Garrett’s wallet but little else.
The 2 meet at the railway station and then on the train and even later find themselves thrown together. July is used to planning and thinks things through. Jamie doesn’t but does have money - until he doesn’t. Both are trying to meet up with other adults in their lives but wires are crossed and they both make mistakes.
Both are let down by the adults who should be protecting them but saved by others and one another.

This book reminded me so much of Jacqueline Wilson, one of my favourite authors when I was young. Both Jamie and July are having a tough time at home and run away individually to Bournemouth. They cross paths and help each other out as they are only 11 and far too young to be out in the world alone. This book doesn't shy away from tough issues and it makes for a gripping read for young people.