Description
For fans of Tristan Bancks and Katherine Rundell comes this electrifying middle-grade novel about a twelve-year-old called Cas, who runs away to avoid a reunion with his estranged father. Cas soon finds himself lost in the wilderness, completely alone and without help. Or is he?
Cas thought running away from home would solve all his problems. But he didn’t count on getting hopelessly lost in the tangled Australian bush. Alone and afraid, Cas has given up all hope of rescue when he stumbles upon a strange family hiding out in the wilderness. He won’t survive without their help. But when he discovers they’re also on the run – from something so big, they won’t even talk about it – he realises his problems are just beginning …
Hatchet meets Stand By Me in this brilliantly suspenseful novel from the acclaimed author of Big Magic and Magic Awry. With a spiky, memorable cast, gripping twists and turns and thorny moral dilemmas, RUN is perfect for fans of Bren MacDibble and Nat Amoore – and it will keep readers glued to the page all night.
Review
Cas has not had an easy life. He lives with his Aunt Mel, because his Mum is not in his life and his Dad was neglecting him. Life with Mel is good. Cas has friends around him, particularly his best friend Rosa, and her family.
But it looks like things are about to change, and not in a good way. Mel wants Cas to spend time with his Dad, but Cas doesn’t want to – he has too many bad memories of not being looked after. Feeling trapped, tricked and betrayed into having to see his Dad, Cas makes a decision on the way there that will change everything. Without thinking of the consequences, he runs. But with no idea where he is going or what he is going to do, Cas soon finds himself in all sorts of trouble. And this is where the story really starts!
Will finding Pearl, Viv, and their dad, Mack, in the middle of the forest be his saviour? Or is he now in even more danger than when he was alone?
Without giving away too much that would spoil the suspense or the story itself, it really has many layers and moral dilemmas entwined throughout, and will have you questioning what you would do if you were not only in Cas’ situation, but also that of Mack, Pearl and Viv. And then there are the feelings and emotions that his family and friends are going through, not knowing where Cas is, or if he is even safe.
A suspenseful and fast-paced story of survival, with many twists and turns, but also a story of family, friendship, trust and belonging, and is suited to those in lower secondary and also to those in upper primary as well.
Teacher notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
