Runaways
An irresistible story about finding your true home
Published on 3. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-5266-8333-5 (ISBN)
Description
'Extraordinary. I loved it.' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
'Gripping, heartfelt ... unforgettable' Jenny Pearson, author of The Super-Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates
'A fantastic novel that doesn't shy away from big emotions.' Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths
He needs to get lost. She wants to be found.
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? Three homes, two kids, one journey.
Winner of the Lewisham Book Award
'I LOVED Runaways. It has note-perfect voices and two important stories at the heart of it all. I couldn't put it down.' Joanna Nadin, award-winning author
'Runaways is gripping and deeply authentic and more than a bit brilliant' James Goodhand, author of Last Lesson
'Addictive, brilliant in every way' Evan, The Week Junior young reviewer
'Gripping, heartfelt ... unforgettable' Jenny Pearson, author of The Super-Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates
'A fantastic novel that doesn't shy away from big emotions.' Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths
He needs to get lost. She wants to be found.
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? Three homes, two kids, one journey.
Winner of the Lewisham Book Award
'I LOVED Runaways. It has note-perfect voices and two important stories at the heart of it all. I couldn't put it down.' Joanna Nadin, award-winning author
'Runaways is gripping and deeply authentic and more than a bit brilliant' James Goodhand, author of Last Lesson
'Addictive, brilliant in every way' Evan, The Week Junior young reviewer
Reviews / Votes
Extraordinary. I loved it. -- Hannah Gold I was drawn into the story to such an extent that I read the book from cover to cover in one sitting ... I thoroughly recommend Runaways to teachers, public librarians, and school librarians at both primary and secondary schools -- Veronica Price * View From the Bookshelves blog https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home.blog/2025/05/05/mgreview-runaways-by-e-l-norry/ * I just wanted to say how much I LOVED Em Norry's Runaways. It has note-perfect voices and deft telling and two important stories at the heart of it all. I couldn't put it down. -- Joanna Nadin A fantastic novel that doesn't shy away from big emotions. I loved the different kinds of families represented in this book -- Maisie Chan, author of 'Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths' Runaways is gripping and deeply authentic and more than a bit brilliant -- James Goodhand, author of Last Lesson Runaways is a gripping, heartfelt story that pulled me in from the first page. Jamie and July are unforgettable-real, vulnerable, and brave in the face of impossible choices. The beautifully written dual narrative explores what it means to be heard, to be safe, and to find connection in the unlikeliest of places. It's a book that pulses with authenticity and emotional truth and one that will stay with you long after reading. -- Jenny Pearson, author of 'The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates' A warm, compassionate and hopeful story -- Jenny Jones * https://jonestheschoollibrarian.com/2025/08/17/runaways/ * Addictive, brilliant in every way. The ending was amazingly surprising. -- Evan * The Week Junior *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 14 years
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
220 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5266-8333-5 (9781526683335)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2025
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Childrens Books
€7.49
Available for download
Person
E.L. Norry is the acclaimed author of Fablehouse (Bloomsbury, 2023) and several previous children's books. She has a BA (Hons) in Film and an MA in Screenwriting. She was born in Cardiff and grew up in the care system. She now lives in Bournemouth with her husband and children and works in further education. Emma's previous books include Son of the Circus (Scholastic, 2019), which was shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards, and Amber Under Cover (OUP, 2021). Her short stories have been published in anthologies including The Very Merry Murder Club (Farshore, 2021), Happy Here: 10 stories from Black British authors & illustrators (Knights Of, 2021) and The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation (Scholastic, 2021).