On The Run

Nina Bawden (author)

Faber, UK: 1964, 2008; 208pp

ISBN: 9780571246472

Genres: adventure, realistic fiction

Issues: friendship

Ben is forced to stay in London with his father because his siblings, living with his aunt, have chicken pox.

London would be more interesting with other children to play with and Ben finds an unexpected companion who lives just over the wall next door. Thomas is a serious and lonely boy whose father, an African tribal leader and Prime Minister deposed after revolution, is in prison while the English parliament decide whether to send him back to his native country. In the meantime Thomas is in danger from his father's enemies who wish to kidnap him for political reasons. Ben, Thomas and Lil, a street waif who's avoiding the Community Services people while her mother is in hospital, take off for the country where Thomas is safe from the strange behaviour of his Uncle Joseph.

An absorbing story that leaps into adventure in the first chapter On the Run is a believable and exciting tale by a skilful writer.  

Same Author: A Handful of Thieves; Carrie's War; Granny the Pag