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"Action and alpaca-packed comic adventure that is also deeply moving."
January 2026 Debut of the Month
An accusation of alpaca rustling is not the kind of thing anyone wants on their report, but it’s not even the first of the difficult things that confront twelve-year-old Hedley.
He’s struggling to cope with the loss of his mum, when, for reasons beyond his control, he ends up on the run with Aiden, fellow resident at the Therapy Activities Centre, and Duke, the alpaca they’ve come to know through their work experience at Farmer Bert’s Petting Zoo.
Tracked on CCTV, our renegade band become an internet sensation with #WoollyHeist and then #FurryFelon trending. The more outrageous their escapades – and they’re very outrageous and very funny for readers – the more the pressure mounts on Hedley and all the while the journey is leading inexorably to his mum’s grave.
If that makes this story sound in anyway glum, it absolutely isn’t, in fact, it’s one of the funniest books you’re likely to read this year. Aiden and Duke seem determined to turn everything upside down, often literally, and Hedley’s despairing commentary is highly comic too, while his little sister Lilly’s jokes will be favourites with readers.
Amidst all the chaos, the journey is one of self-discovery for Hedley, and Aiden too, while there’s a twist at the end that packs a real emotional punch. Action-packed, surprising, funny and moving, this is worth recommending to fans of Jenny Pearson, and praise doesn’t come much higher.
A hilarious and heartbreaking road trip adventure about friendship, grief and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
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Hedley is forced to go on the run with an alpaca, his younger sister and his nemesis: Aiden. They know where they are going, but not how to get there.
Hedley finds life tricky. He likes things done in a certain way, so living in a children’s home makes his life difficult. But, he can’t return home as his mum has died and his dad can’t get out of bed. Luckily, he has his sister with him – not that he would admit that to her. Unluckily, he has to share a room with another boy called Aiden. Aiden also has troubles, mainly that he makes up everything about his dad, and that he takes everything that belongs to Hedley without permission. As Aiden is quite big, there is nothing that Hedley can do about it. Plus, Aiden gets angry very quickly. To support both boys with their emotions, Aiden and Hedley are given the opportunity to work at the local petting farm.... Read Full Review
A story about a 12 year old boy coming to terms with a family tragedy.
This is essentially a story about a 12 year old boy coming to terms with a family tragedy.
Hedley spends his weekends at a therapy centre to help him overcome his trauma. When his roommate and frenemy, Aiden, steals an alpaca, the boys embark on a rollocking adventure, peppered with lots of scatalogical humour
There is a significant twist at the end of the book which most readers will not have seen coming.... Read Full Review
Two friends, one alpaca! Disaster!
An excellent story written in a fun and engaging way!... Read Full Review
A hilarious and heartbreaking road trip adventure about friendship, grief and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.Hedley has always played it safe, especially since the night that changed his life for ever. But when his friend Aiden steals an alpaca, Hedley is dragged on a runaway road trip that he did NOT sign up for:An accidental robbery.A night in a haunted wood.And becoming internet famous #AlpacaBandit.As the chaos builds, Hedley finds he isn't just running from the police, he's also running from the truth.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Not-So Great Escape and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Not-So Great Escape features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Funny, Animal Stories, Romance / Relationship Stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Not-So Great Escape was written by Emma Green and published by Usborne Publishing Ltd. an imprint of Usborne Publishing
The Not-So Great Escape has 231 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
