"Can running away ever be the answer to your problems?"
July 2025 Book of the Month
The story of two unrelated children, July and Jamie, who meet by chance in Waterloo Station, is told with great warmth and empathy, but with genuine authenticity too and tackling some difficult themes like drug use and homelessness.
The children come from very different backgrounds, but both are running. One is running away from problems and the other is running to a possible solution. Through the dual narrative we gradually fill in the details of their back story.
July has recently returned from foster care to live with her young mum, a recovering addict who struggles to hold down a job and make positive choices. When an old friend of her mum appears, bringing drink and drugs with her, July doesn't know what to do. Armed with her favourite book, "How They Survived", she sets off to find her foster mum and get help.
Ever since his mum started dating Garrett, nothing is the same for Jamie, who wants to see his dad, but because he thinks he works away on an oil rig, it just isn't possible. When Garrett suggests boarding school (without any of his friends from primary school) and constantly complains about his behaviour, Jamie doesn't know what to do and a careless moment in response to a carelessly revealed truth, makes him believe there is no going back. Traveling alone for the very first time, they're faced with money worries, dangerous people and unpredictable weather. They don't know who they can trust or where to turn next. July and Jamie learn some hard truths about life, love, the fallibility of parents and the strength of support from those they can really trust. Friendship can be hard to achieve and finding your way in life isn't always easy, but there is always hope. A memorable, often humorous and touching story. Highly recommended.
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