Recommended by Childrens Books Ireland (12 – 14yrs)

RUNNING ON THE CRACKS by JULIA DONALDSON

The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson’s first teen novel tells the story of two
unhappy teenagers. Fourteen-year-old Leo’s parents have been killed in a plane crash, and Finlay’s parents are caring but intrusive. Finlay, a Glaswegian,
befriends Leo and helps her to find her estranged Chinese family. The picture of Glasgow and its people is very authentic and attractive. The narrative form, however, is imbalanced and certain devices slow the action, in what promised to be a taut thriller.