Running On Empty

LoveReading4Kids Says

Highly Commended in the UKLA Book Awards 2019

S E Durrant writes convincingly and movingly about ordinary young people in extraordinary situations, and Running on Empty finds beauty and certainty in an apparently bleak situation. Eleven-year old AJ’s parents both have learning difficulties and he becomes their main carer when his grandfather suddenly dies.

It’s a struggle, especially at first when no-one at his new secondary school realises just what AJ has to cope with. His love and tenderness towards his parents is beautifully described, as is the warmth of his extended family and things slowly sort themselves out. Somehow too his grandfather – who loved running as much as AJ does – is never really far away.

Without a trace of sentimentality, this ends on a note of hope and happiness that is both believable and uplifting.

This is one to recommend to fans of Susin Nielsen and even R J Palacio. 

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About Running On Empty

AJ's grandfather has always been the one to keep his unusual family together, so when he dies things start to unravel at the edges. Round and round the Olympic Park, aiming for the cross country trials, running to escape, AJ only seems to be heading ever closer to disaster. AJ is worried about his parents but they don't really seem to notice.

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