The Runaway Children: Gripping and heartbreaking historical fiction

If you enjoy fairy tales you will love this book. The story has no tension or energy. The “bad” events that happen are all resolved within a few pages then back to happy, happy, times. I could hardly finish the last few chapters as they were so sickly sweet and everything was wrapped up with a pretty bow tied on.

This book in part reminded me of the troubling evacuation of Jewish children being accepted into England via the kindertransport (England being the only country that willingly took on the task of finding foster homes for them-very,very few reunited with their families after Hitler’s demise. Some were treated well and welcomed others were treated as servant-if,there’s an upside,those who were relocated did survive the atrocities and murders under Hitler). Here,however, while these children are forced away from bomb ravaged London, it is,in my opinion, not an historical reality. Perhaps, the author wanted to focus more upon the relationships these children formed and the effects that separation from their mom,brother and infant brother, who remained in London, had upon them. Yes, there are tragic events. The children,however,at the onset,seem to adapt rather quickly to their life in the countryside. I found the theme interesting. But, the characters,specifically the children, were not well developed, in my opinion. The dialogue along with the somewhat hurried (dropped opportunities for elaboration/details) and, I was hard pressed to become engaged with the story from beginning to end. However, I do think that it would do well as a teaching tool in a middle grade classroom,many do not realize (sadly,this is not part of WWII curriculum), the extent of chaos,upheavals,and an enormity of deaths as a result of Hitler’s murderous reign. I wish the other much luck. I believe that there are even more historical fiction tales similar to this that can be explored.

The story started interesting. But lost my interest after the first 20 pages.Might be a good read for pre teens.Hard to believe a 5 year old speaks like an adult.

An average read, with a predictable ending. Olive spoke in a too-adult voice, and I found the narrator’s “me and Olive” used as a subject, not in dialog, distracting.

I loved this story. I admit it took me a while to get into the story only because I was dreading to read about a horrible death or Nell losing her sister. I'm so glad this story didn't end like so many wwII historical fiction stories I've read. It was a nice change which is why I loved the book So much. There was struggles and the constant worry over family members. But the happy ending was my favorite part. I loved the characters and how well developed they were. Olive is now a favorite character of mine. This book is definitely worth the read.

I gave it only 3 stars because to me it was more of a young adult story. it was interesting to know that could have really happened. The thing I didn't like about it was the younger sister character. She was not believable.

A few chapters in I thought for sure I somehow purchased a pre-teen book. VERY elementary and boring. And the 13 and 5 year old characters speak as if they are 23 and 15. Not sure I can even finish it.

This fictional story was cute but more appropriate for young people. I found the little sister Olive adorable at the beginning, but 4 yrs later, at age 9, she still acts and talks like a 5-yr-old, swinging her doll everywhere she went and pretending its a real person, crawling into daddy's lap, etc. I realize kids acted younger in the 1940's This seemed an exaggeration to me.But what ruined the book for me was the reference to Karl Marx as "an inspirational man" and quoting him. "Workers of the world unite...". Good grief!!!!

This book is totally brilliant from start to finish. It will make you both laugh and cry. Once you start reading you will be with Nell and Olive on every step if their long journey. You won't be able to put the book down as you won't be able to wait and see what happens them next. I have to give credit to an author whose books I have never read before but I definitely will again. Please read this book and click YES below if this helped. 👏👏👏

The is another beautifully written story from Sandy Taylor. I absolutely love it. I didn’t want it to end. She is very good at writing stories that tug at your heart strings.The story begins with 13-year-old Nell and 5-year-old sister Olive it’s 1942 they are both being evacuated from Bermondsey, from her mother and brothers Tommy and her baby brother Frankie. Her Father has gone to war. To the small village of Glengaryth in Wales. Where they meet the Vicar Dylan and his wife Beth and they take them in. Life in the countryside is good and they are very happy. They stay with them for a while they build friendships with the local villagers until, the vicar has been called to Cardiff to help people get over the war. Unfortunately, they Nell and Olive wasn’t going with them and the only people that took them in was a Hackers farm. A run down farm where Nell meets Jimmy and they come close friends. But something happens there and they run away and return to Bermondsey. Where they find out that Nell’s mothers and brothers aren’t there. So with old family friend Mrs Baxter they end up in Eastbourne.I won’t give away anymore as you will have to read it yourself. This is such an emotional story about two sisters journey in 1942, where children exploited. But, also about the good times that they had in this era. And they journey they had to bring their families back together.Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

A really good read from beginning to end. It's about two sisters from Bermondsey who were leading a happy life with their brother and parents, The year was 1942 and the war was bad, it was decided although the sisters didn't want to, they should be evacuated to where they would be safe so they were put on a tain to the country and found themselves living with a vicar and his wife in a viilage. I don't want to say any more for fear of spoiling the story but it is a book full of emotions, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. It is so well written that you will feel the emotions along with the sisters. Recommended.

As a quick easy to read filler, this is fine, but it lacks depth. The story is good enough but there's little in the way of character exploration. For example Nell - one of the principal characters is a teenage girl living through difficult times, but there appears to be hardly any attempt to develop her persona. Whilst I accept that it is a work of fiction, at times it lack any credulity; indeed in one or two cases - it's ridiculous!! As for "gripping" was there was little evidence of that.However - as I said, an easy read which doesn't ask too much of you, so on balance - 3 stars sits nicely in the middle of the road.

Bermondsey 1942. This is nells story, living in ramly court during war times with her family. Nell is evacuated out with her little sister olive to a little village called glengaryth in Wales. They were both picked out by the morgans the vicar and his wife where they lived happily. Until tragedy tells a story. This book I loved it was so witty,sad, but a joy to read. I loved the humour from little olive she is such a funny character. The author certainly has a way of bringing you comfort into reading her books that makes you enjoy every bit.