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.