Run (Sarah Armstrong, HGCP)

Sarah Armstrong’s latest middle-grade novel, Run, is a fast-paced survival tale that explores themes of trust, resilience and complicated families. It follows Armstrong’s previous titles for younger readers, Big Magic and Magic Awry, and her Miles Franklin–shortlisted adult novel Salt Rain. Run centres on 12-year-old Cas, who flees a reunion with his estranged father only to become lost in the dense, unforgiving Australian bush. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon a mysterious family – Mack, Pearl and Viv – living off the grid and clearly hiding secrets. As Cas navigates this adventure, he is forced to confront questions about the true meaning of family. A particular strength of the novel is the compelling cast of side characters, who enrich the narrative with their distinct personalities and hidden motives, adding to the story’s suspense and complexity. Their presence transforms Run from a straightforward survival story into a more nuanced exploration of human relationships and moral dilemmas. With its blend of suspense, emotional depth and thought-provoking themes, Run will resonate with readers aged 10+. The high-stakes plot and social justice angle are age-appropriate, avoiding unnecessary grit or violence and making the story suitable for the target audience. Run is perfect for fans of Tristan Bancks’ Cop and Robber, Nat Amoore’s We Run Tomorrow and Bren MacDibble’s How to Bee.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Karys McEwen is a librarian, author, and the education advisor for the Melbourne Writers Festival. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews