Kids on the Run

Kids on the Run by Dianne Bates (Morris Publishing) PB

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Kids on the Run is a poignant, thoughtful and heart rendering new middle grade novel from acclaimed, award-winning Australian author Dianne Bates.

The setting is contemporary Australia, and it follows 14yr old Josh, a boy who has had to live rough on the streets with his drug addicted mother. Josh has been placed in the foster care system, and has transferred to new foster carers, The Massey’s. There he meets 11yr old Brodie and 3yr old Jaylee. His first night is fraught with panic when the house goes up in flames in the middle of the night. He escapes the blaze with Brodie and Jaylee in tow. 

A fearful Josh believes that somehow, he will get the blame and decides he wants to bail from the area and fast. He reluctantly gives Brodie and Jaylee a choice, to either stay with the Massey’s or go with him. They choose Josh. The children stay together and hang tight. Evading police and enquiring strangers, portraying as siblings together. However, a string of unexpected and dangerous events that no-one could have predicted, unfold at a rapid rate endangering their best formed plans.

Kids on the Run is a gripping and raw insight into parental loss, homelessness, foster care, poverty, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, mental health, and domestic violence. But equally, other themes like loyalty, friendship, courage, tenacity, generosity shine bright.
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Dianne Bates has masterfully written an emotive and ‘essential’ story for our times. It is important that stories like Kids on the Run are voiced and heard to encourage empathetic conversations, evoke critical thinking and tolerance within our young people today.

Recommended for a middle grade audience, however I highly recommend Kids on the Run for children and adults alike.