Runaway Road
The emotional YA coming-of-age family story set in Northern Ireland
Published on 7. May 2026
304 pages
978-1-0350-8716-7 (ISBN)
Description
Runaway Road is a moving story of family and belonging set in contemporary Northern Ireland. By Sue Divin, author of Truth Be Told.
Perfect for fans of Margaret McDonald's Glasgow Boys.
'An absolutely gripping read, the sort of book it's impossible to put down.' - Jan Carson
'Moving, funny, cinematic, compelling' - Bernie McGill
'This powerful, immersive story explores difference and belonging with real compassion and thoroughly engaging wit' - Byddi Lee, author of Barren
Ezra is 16. He's no stranger to crossing the line, but this time it's really bad - and there's no going back.
His only hope of escape is to cross another line, the Northern Irish border, but that will mean leaving behind the only thing that really matters, his little sister, Evie.
Evie is 9 and sees it differently. Ezra took her into care, into safety, the last time they ran away. Why shouldn't she go on the run with him now?
Perfect for fans of Margaret McDonald's Glasgow Boys.
'An absolutely gripping read, the sort of book it's impossible to put down.' - Jan Carson
'Moving, funny, cinematic, compelling' - Bernie McGill
'This powerful, immersive story explores difference and belonging with real compassion and thoroughly engaging wit' - Byddi Lee, author of Barren
Ezra is 16. He's no stranger to crossing the line, but this time it's really bad - and there's no going back.
His only hope of escape is to cross another line, the Northern Irish border, but that will mean leaving behind the only thing that really matters, his little sister, Evie.
Evie is 9 and sees it differently. Ezra took her into care, into safety, the last time they ran away. Why shouldn't she go on the run with him now?
Reviews / Votes
Set along the Irish border, this powerful, immersive story explores difference and belonging through characters who see and feel the world differently, with real compassion and thoroughly engaging wit. -- Byddi Lee, author of <i>Barren</i> Runaway Road is an absolutely gripping read, the sort of book it's impossible to put down. It's full of twists and turns, hilarious observations and genuinely moving moments. You'll miss spending time with Ezra and Evie the second you finish reading this book. -- Jan Carson Sue Divin is a brilliantly clever writer. The young voices of Ezra and Evie are pitch perfect; their journey across the border is adrenaline-fuelled; the dialogue sparkles with wit. Moving, funny, cinematic, compelling. As Evie might (not) say: 'This was very popular with me.' -- Bernie McGill, author of <i>The Butterfly Cabinet</i> Runaway Road is a compelling story which asks us to contemplate where disadvantaged young people today find safety. We journey with Ezra and Evie into an unknown future, witnessing the forgiveness of good friends, grace in a bag of Monster Munch, and the hope that shines a light from the other side of an invisible border. -- Shirley-Anne McMillan This is a startlingly good book... Divin's character creation is impeccable... It would be a hard-hearted reader indeed who is dry-eyed at the conclusion of this powerful and ambitious novel. -- Val Randall * Books For Keeps * This is a startlingly good book... Divin's character creation is impeccable... It would be a hard-hearted reader indeed who is dry-eyed at the conclusion of this powerful and ambitious novel. -- Books for Keeps Divin gives us an endearing, believable voice to both siblings and invites us to consider the space for grace and forgiveness within today's world. It is highly likely this book will make you cry at times; lean into it. * The Irish Times *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 12 years
File size
2,56 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-0350-8716-7 (9781035087167)
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
Person
Sue Divin has a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies and a career in Community Relations. Her short stories, flash fiction and poetry, have been published in a range of literary journals. Guard Your Heart, her debut novel, won the Great Reads Award (Ireland) and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Her second novel Truth Be Told won the McCrea Literary award and was shortlisted in the Irish Book Awards, Children's Book Ireland Awards and UK Literacy Awards and Southern Schools Book Awards. Her third novel Runaway Road will publish with First Ink in 2026.
