The Runner

Jason, fed up with his parents' arguments, runs away on the Intercity train to Liverpool to stay with his brother. As he waits for the train to leave the station he is beset by worries that someone will find him and take him back. Then he meets Jam, "a runner", who lives on the train, dodging the conductor and living a life of total freedom where the only person you can trust is yourself. Jason is fascinated by Jam's way of life. After all, haven't his parents let him down by arguing all the time? His brother's let him down by moving all the way to Liverpool and he couldn't even tell his best friend Ben what he was going to do in case he told on him. Just as he starts to think that being a runner is the best option for himself, Jason discovers that Jam isn't quite as he appears. Perhaps things aren't as black and white as Jason first thought--maybe running away isn't the answer. This short novel, with short sentences and plenty of illustrations to aid understanding, is ideal for fluent readers. -- Philippa Reece


Genre: Children's Fiction