A heart-wrenching, unforgettable story of two evacuee sisters during the Second World War… Perfect for fans of Orphan Train, Nadine Dorries and Diney Costeloe. London, 1942: Thirteen-year-old Nell and five-year-old Olive are being sent away from the devastation of the East End. They are leaving the terror of the Blitz and nights spent shivering in air raid shelters behind them, but will the … air raid shelters behind them, but will the strangers they are placed with be kind and loving, or are there different hardships ahead?
As the sisters struggle to adjust to life as evacuees, they soon discover that living in the countryside isn’t always idyllic. Nell misses her mother and brothers more than anything but she has to stay strong for Olive. When little Olive’s safety is threatened by a boy at Hackers Farm, Nell has to make a decision that will change their lives forever…
They must run from danger and try to find their way home.
Together the two girls hold each other’s hands as they begin their perilous journey across bombed-out Britain. But when Nell falls ill, can she still protect her little sister from the war raging around them? And will they ever be reunited from the family they’ve been torn from?
An unputdownable novel of unconditional love, friendship and the fight for survival during a time of unimaginable change. The Runaway Children is guaranteed to find a place in your heart.
Why readers are falling in love with The Runaway Children:
‘Oh my goodness what an absolutely fantastic story this was. I absolutely loved it … an absolutely wonderful story … I had tears rolling down my face … I would give this book more than five stars if I could.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘WOW!!!!!… so beautifully written that you are sure it will become an instant classic … had me in tears throughout… left me feeling hopeful and wanting more!’ A Book With Review, 5 stars
‘I absolutely adored The Runaway Children … incredibly heart-warming … I loved every minute.’ Novel Deelights, 5 stars
‘What an absolutely fabulous book this is… it truly was so lovely to read and my heart just melts even now just thinking about it… I so wished I could vanish into those pages … Simply wonderful!’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘Oh my goodness … I’ve fallen in love with this book … wonderful characters you want to take home with you.’ Little Miss No Sleep, 5 stars
‘My oh my where do I start with this book… a tearjerker…grabbed my attention from the start… by the end of the first sentence, I was hooked… I simply loved reading this heart wrenching book.’ Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars
‘An emotional, addictive read that I am certain will stay with me for a long time. Sandy’s writing is flawless… For hours, I was completely lost in the world that she had created. This book had me smiling then crying and sometimes doing both at the same time.’ A Haven for Book Lovers, 5 stars
‘I absolutely loved The Runaway Children… A charming book with wonderful characters… The story is very emotional and uplifting…’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Brilliant! Love this author… A heartfelt story of a family’s determination through the war, I devoured this in one sitting.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Five Stars! I fell in love with this book as soon as I started reading it…’Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘OMW…. This book was simply beautiful, from the writing to the lovely characters, emotional and feel good at the same time. A real page turner.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
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Love books about orphans.
A gripping tale of life in the UK during time of war. The five year old little sister provided some levity and some insights to life too Author is skilled at “faction”or the merging of facts and history with fiction. Couldn’t put it down for long
This story hooked me from the start. Sad, but inspiring. The two sisters’ love for each other lasts and grows stronger as new troubles come. A wonderful writer. I’m looking for more of her books!
Best book I’ve read in awhile. I absolutely loved the characters. Hated for it to end.
I loved the history in this book.
Difficult to put down very good book
This book had it all. Funny at times but all nerve racking. The youngest child Olive was the hit of he book. I laughed so hard, it made me cry. In he end it was a feel good book, that I had hard time putting down.
I enjoyed this little book. I got so involved in the many characters that I felt i was living their lives right along with them. I recommend it to anyone with a compassionate heart who is eager to look forward to a happy ending. You won’t be sorry for the time spent with the “Runaway Children”!!! 5 stars for me!
Yellow Rose
Good For Tweens!
Seems to be a realistic family story from WW2
Historical view into a subject I knew little about. I enjoyed the characters and their experiences.
Interesting story with wonderful characters my parents lived at this time and I had heard stories growing up and saw gas masks put away at my grandparents
Good insight into the lives of children evacuated from London during WW2 blitz, tying realistic characters with facts of history.
One of books where the reader becomes entangled in the lives of the characters and just has to keep reading!
This is my first book by this author and I enjoy her style of storytelling immensely. This story takes place during WWII in the United Kingdom, both England and Wales. It is the story of two sisters that join many children in the countryside, outside of the bigger cities where the Germans are bombing. Thirteen year old Nell and her younger sister Olive are sent away by their mother who has just had a baby and is also hoping to hear from their father who is off at war, so she has decided to stay in London, hoping to hear from her husband, her other son who was supposed to have evacuated with the sisters, jumped of the train at the last moment, to help his Mom.
The sisters end up in a quaint little town in Wales, and end up loving it there, assigned to a great couple that takes them in, and treat them like family, they meet some special friends, and know most people in the town. All changes when that couple is reassigned to a different area and the girls end up on a long journey to get back home. The people they meet and the experiences they have, make you just want to keep reading. This was a wonderful story, and a journey worth taking.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book.