The Runaway Children By Sandy Taylor

Lindsay - Traveling Sisters Book Reviews

4.5 stars! My heart is overflowing with love for the characters in this unforgettable story.

This novel follows evacuee sisters, thirteen-year-old Nell and five-year-old Olive, as they flee the war-torn East End of London during WWII to reach the ‘safety’ of the countryside. There, families open their homes to evacuee children, providing them shelter and nourishment until they can safely be sent back to their homes and families.

Leaving their family home, Nell quickly assumes the role of mother to her young sister whose innocence and constant questions were a delightfully entertaining part of this touching story. Throughout their journey, Nell and Olive meet many people who impact their lives. Their bond as sisters pulled at my heart strings – their relationship was so sweet and endearing.

One theme that stood out for me throughout this entire story was the kindness of strangers. Though not all of Nell and Olive’s journey was positive, many of the people they meet along the way are genuinely good people who lovingly assist the young girls in moving toward their destination. This kindness is what truly helps the girls survive each day and endure the atrocities that war created.

This is my first book by Sandy Taylor. I loved everything about her writing! I look forward to reading more from her!

A big thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Sandy Taylor for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Angela M

The war, the blitz, the fear and worry of parents that you will lose your children to a bomb and the desire to keep them safe even if it means sending them away . This was the reality that led to the evacuation of many children from London in the early 1940’s. The story, harrowing at times, brought to life by two characters I couldn’t help but love. Thirteen year old Nell has to grow up quickly as she evacuates with her
five year old sister Olive from London. They first go to the Welsh countryside to stay with a kind couple. Circumstances change and they are moved to a farm family where a different kind of danger lurks. Nell gathers up the strength as the two sisters are on the run to keep Olive safe.

I’ve read more than a few WWII stories and there is always something new to learn. I knew of these evacuations of people, many of whom were children and Sandy Taylor conveys the emotional journey in this book. Ultimately it about the bonds of family and friendship and the kindness of people that somehow thrived during these awful times. My rating would be 3.5 if I could. There was something about the dialogue that didn’t quite feel realistic to me at times and the ending was a bit too pat. Having said that I felt this was an important story and it depicted another facet of the war that I didn’t know much about, so I’m rounding up to 4 stars.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley.

Pauline

I absolutely loved The Runaway Children by Sandy Taylor. It was a charming book with wonderful characters. Two sisters were evacuated from London in 1942 to the Welsh countryside and have to leave their mother and brothers behind. The story is very emotional and uplifting. This is the first book from this author that I have read and I will certainly be reading more of her work. I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Carol

War -1942 - Sirens and bombings make for volatile times in London, and the Patterson children have just been evacuated by train to the country.

Scared and distressed over being forced to leave home to live with strangers, 13 year old Nell steps up and takes charge of 5 year old Olive knowing she must protect and keep her safe at all costs. The girls experience numerous unexpected kindnesses, but all is not easy as they encounter scary, dangerous types as well.

A funny little Olive (with the help of Auntie Missus) steal the show with innocence, bravery and a "wise beyond years" vocabulary as she tells it like it is....at the most inopportune times.

THE RUNAWAY CHILDREN combines historical fiction with a coming of age story that is entertaining and filled with love of family, hope and friendships.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for review.

[S] Bibliophage

The Runaway Children is a riveting, poignant and inspiring fiction novel about the Patterson family — emphasizing on the story of Nell and Olive's remarkable story. The story was set during the World War II; it narrates how the Patterson siblings from East End was able to endure being refugee kids, and on how they showed courage and still hopeful amidst some of the trials they have encountered.

Nell and Olive's personalities are to easy to like because they are both charming; Nell is a strong older sister, while Olive's candidness and amusing words could capture the hearts of the readers of this novel. There was a bit of romance in it also that will reminds us that love isn't forced, instead, it just blossoms over time.

I consider this historical fiction a mild narration describing the refugees' experiences during the time of the war. A great read that could even be recommended to high school students; reading this can be finished in a day or two because I'm sure that they will be engrossed with the story.

Jules

This is the fourth book I’ve read by Sandy Taylor. Having absolutely loved The Brighton Girls Trilogy, I felt rather sad when it came to an end. How on earth was I going to cope without another book in the trilogy to look forward to? So, when I found out about The Runaway Children, I was dying to read it! What can I say? Oh my goodness, she’s done it again, as I’ve fallen in love with this book and a whole new set of adorable characters within its pages.

This is a book of mixed emotions. Set during the Second World War, we are faced with the horror of war. The injury or loss of loved ones serving in the military, homes being bombed, families torn apart and evacuees running for their lives. Then there is the magic that Sandy Taylor always creates with her wonderful characters, who are impossible not to love. Even during the darkest of times, the kindness of humans shines through.

The Runaway Children is a remarkable story of two sisters, forced to leave the rest of their family to try and find a safe home in a little village in Wales, with mucky sheep, much to the horror of Olive, but luckily no bombs. They are faced with challenges two young girls should not have to face alone, and they meet an interesting cast of characters along the way, some nicer than others. I thoroughly enjoyed accompanying Nell and Olive on their travels, although some locations felt a little more homely than others. It was wonderful seeing Nell and Olive grow up, not just in size and age, but as young women-to-be faced with important decisions, that made them become stronger in themselves and even closer as sisters.

Olive has to be my favourite book character this year. She was such a wonderful little girl, who had me frequently giggling away to myself. She was the perfect mix of sweet, endearing, inquisitive, opinionated and funny. She was like a cross between my ever-so-chatty grandma, who was also called Olive (I do miss her), and my six year old niece, Daisy, who absorbs everything you say and is full of never-ending questions. I loved how she had such a human-like relationship with her doll, who she called Auntie Missus. It reminded me of the cuddly toy my auntie gave me for my first birthday. I called him Mr Mousy. I still have him and often have a little chatter away to him, even though I’m almost forty years old. I wanted Olive to jump out of the pages and become a real part of my life. Mind you, based on how much of an emotional impact all of Sandy Taylor’s books have had on me, I dare say there will always be a little part of Olive inside me wherever life takes me.

I love that each location within this book is so visually strong in my mind. I’m not consciously aware of this book being particularly visually descriptive, but this story came to life. Perhaps it is Sandy Taylor’s writing style. Nothing ever seems forced. Her writing is so easy to read and flows so naturally. Mind you, on the topic of descriptive writing, I do have to share one of my favourite scenes that Nell describes:

I loved watching the women coming out of the custard factory covered in yellow dust. I loved watching them take off their headscarves and shake out their hair, a tiny haze of yellow around each of their faces, and their smell of vanilla and sugar.

Damn that gluten/yeast intolerance of mine though, because this book had me craving bread and drippin’ so much, it was making my mouth water!

If you haven’t read any books by this author, you really are missing out. I can’t recommend them enough. Please give this author a go if you enjoy stories with wonderful characters you want to take home with you. I truly believe you won’t be disappointed.

My review is also available on my blog here:

https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.c...

Judy

This book is filled with humor, sadness, triumph and love. It's a wonderful story. The author's writing style was inviting and easy to read. Character development was so realistic I felt like I knew some of the people in the book.

An entrancing story set against the backdrop of World War II. Due to the frequent bombings in London, 13-year-old Nell and 5-year-old Olive are evacuated to the countryside where they are taken in by a vicar and his wife. The mother and her two sons remained in London in hopes the father, who is missing in the war, comes home. The plan is to join Nell and Olive at a later time.

I really like stories told from a child's point of view - they seem to capture some of the naivete and wonder that only children can impart. Nell was faced with a huge amount of responsibility taking care of Olive and facing all new circumstances. No matter what happened she faced it with courage and a serenity that was admirable. Olive was a real treat, she kept me laughing throughout the story.

My thanks to Sandy Taylor and Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Louise Wilson

It's London, 1942. Thirteen year old Nell and five year old Olive are being sent away from the devastation of the East End. The sisters struggle to a just to life as an evacuees. Nell misses her mother and brothers more than anything but has to stay strong for Olive. When Olives safety is threatened by a boy on the farm, Nell has to make a decision. They must run from danger and try and find their way home.

The story is told by the child's point of view. The characters are built up slowly and it makes us feel we know them. The book covers a four year period. This is a beautifully written book from beginning to end. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. A great book to give as a Christmas present/stocking filler.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Sandy Taylor for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brenda

London and the home she’d known all her life was a frightening place to thirteen-year-old Nell – it was 1942 and the Germans bombed London constantly. Many children were being evacuated to the country for safety. When the time came for Nell and her five-year-old sister Olive to leave, the sadness at leaving their Mum, baby brother Freddie and brother Tony was heartbreaking.

Nell and Olive’s arrival in Wales found them staying with a couple in the vicarage – they found happiness, contentment and friendship. But when the Father had to go with his wife to Cardiff, Nell and Olive had to be billeted elsewhere. Their new home was nothing like the vicarage – they worked hard from dawn till dusk; but it was Nell’s friendship with Jimmy, another evacuee, that made things a little easier to bear. Until Olive was suddenly in danger…

Nell’s plan to make their way across the country, back to their home in London, was one born of desperation. But that’s what the sisters did. Walked and ran, always doing what they could to survive. Would they make it? It was a long way… And what would be waiting for them if they did make it back to their flat in Rannly Court in Bermondsey?

The Runaway Children by Sandy Taylor is a wonderful, heartfelt historical fiction novel which I adored! Olive is an absolute delight! The “old head on young shoulders” fits perfectly for this little sweetheart. The war and the struggles of the children - the innocent victims – are told in Nell’s voice with Olive right there by her side. The Runaway Children is a novel that will stay with me for a long time – and it’s one I highly recommend to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.

Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice*

EXCERPT: I wished for the millionth time that I hadn't killed him. I still couldn't believe that I had actually ended the life of another human being. Did I have to kill him? I could have just threatened to tell his mother, but when I saw what he was about to do to innocent little Olive, I saw red. I was angry, angrier than I had ever been in my whole life and, yes, in that moment, in that barn, I wanted him dead. I wanted him splattered on the ground. I wanted to bash his brains out, that's what I'd wanted to do. We think we know ourselves, don't we? But we don't. We judge the murderers and thieves and the beggars without knowing their stories. We judge them because we think we're better than they are, that we're the goodies in the white hats and they're the baddies in the black ones. But now I knew that underneath my hat I was as capable of killing and thieving as the worst thugs in Rannly Court. So much had happened since we left Bermondsey, it felt like another life. I was just an ordinary kid when I 'd said goodbye to Mum in the flat but now I was a murderer and I was on the run from the law. How the bloody hell had that happened?

THE BLURB: 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 strangers they are billeted 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. Then, when little Olive’s safety is threatened by a boy on a 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.

MY THOUGHTS: I didn't find The Runaway Children by Sandy Taylor unputdownable, but it was a book that I greatly enjoyed, and one that didn't always take me where I thought it was headed.

I think that Sandy Taylor has written a slightly sanitized portrayal of life as a refugee in WWII Britain. And I don't mean that as a criticism because, after all, the story is basically a 'feel good' experience. There is no great emotional depth, but that really doesn't seem to matter.

The story is told from the perspective of thirteen year old Nell. Not only is she responsible for her much younger sister Olive, she is in that difficult phase of her life where she is becoming aware of the opposite sex, her own effect on them and attraction to them.

Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Runaway Children by Sandy Taylor for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

*TUDOR^QUEEN*

This is a very fine book about a family living in an East End London tenement building during the Second World War. As the book begins, the eldest daughter Nell is outside on the cold stoop attending to her precocious five year old sister Olive and middle brother Tony. She is trying to occupy them while their mother is upstairs giving birth. Their father is serving in the War and is missing. For the modest living conditions and the bleak situation, there are loving and supportive neighbors in the building that always pitch in when needed. This element lends such a heartwarming cast to the story and is a continuing theme throughout the book in different locales.

Because of the bombing raids that were concentrated in the City of London, children were being transported to the country to safe houses. This is what happened with teenage Nell and her little sister Olive. Following the birth of their Mom's baby, arrangements were made to send Nell, Olive and Tony to a country location. Tony leapt off the train at the last minute, deciding to remain with his mother and the baby in the East End. This left Nell in charge of Olive as they journeyed to an uncertain future.

At first, Nell and Olive are placed in what is a fairytale situation in a charming picture perfect village in Wales. They are chosen by the young parish vicar and his wife to stay with them in a home that looked as if it belonged on a Christmas card. Quite quickly the anguish of separation from their family is dimmed by the warm beds, good food, loving "Auntie and Uncle" and new friends that they make in this quaint village. However, all good things come to an end and the sisters' idyllic living situation is again disrupted.

The book covers a four-year period where Nell and Olive face the challenge of various living situations while separated from their parents. Their journey is richly and beautifully written. From the kindness and charity of people they meet on the run, to the frightening and unpleasant characters they encounter, this is a high standard of writing that I hope to experience even more from author Sandy Taylor. Well done!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this advance reader copy in return for my honest review.

❀⊱RoryReads⊰❀

It’s 1942 and Britain is in the midst of World War II. Nell Patterson, thirteen years old and her little sister Olive, five, must leave their home in Bermondsey, London and be evacuated to the country to escape the air raids. Neither of the girls has ever been away from home before; Bermondsey is all they’ve ever known and they're reluctant to leave their loving mother.

Much to their surprise, the girls love their new home in the village of Glengaryth, Wales. Both are met with kindness by their foster parents and quickly make friends among the other local and evacuee children. The girl's lives are idyllic until unforeseen circumstances create an upheaval that leads to danger. Nell must save her little sister and herself; deciding they must set out, on their own, for the safety of Bermondsey and their mother.

This story is absolutely charming; I was pulled in right from the first paragraph. Nell is kind and brave, with the sort of insecurities that most girls experience at the age of thirteen. Her love for her sister Olive is touching and tempered with the usual frustrations older sisters feel when they have responsibility for a younger sibling. Olive is a joy; funny and original, she's the comic relief. Supporting characters, both children and adults are well drawn, and the settings are described in detail, giving a strong sense of time and place. The author has done her research and it shows.

If you enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, Goodnight Mr Tom, Carrie's War or read Katie Flynn or Rosie Goodwin novels, you'll love this. I wouldn’t hesitate to give this book to young readers, perhaps junior high and above. It's written from Nell's point of view and the simplicity of the writing and language reflect the fact that she's thirteen to sixteen years old when telling her story. Because there are a couple of unsettling scenes and more mature themes later in the book, parents may think it inappropriate for middle grade readers. All together, a lovely book.

Copy received through NetGalley.

Louise Wilson

It's London 1942. Thirteen year old Nell and and five year old Olive are being sent away from the devastation of the East End. The sisters struggle to a just to life as evacuees. Nell misses her mother and brothers more than anything but has to stay strong for Olive. When Olives safety is threatened by a boy on the farm , Nell has to make a decision. They must run from danger and try and find their way home.

The story is told from the child's point of view. The characters are built up slowly and it makes us feel we really know them. The book covers a four year period. This is a beautifully written book from begining to end. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. A great book to give as a Christmas present/stocking filler.

Sally906

THE RUNAWAY CHILDREN is narrated by Nell and although she is 13 at the start the story spans 4 years and both she, and her sister have to do a lot of growing up fast. Being the eldest child Nell has a huge amount of responsibility taking care of her younger brother and sister. However, when a new baby arrives Nell realises that worrying about four children is detrimental to her mum’s health so agrees to be evacuated to the country. Her brother refuses to go and runs off just as the train is leaving so it is just Nell and her 5-year-old sister Olive who head for the country. I loved Olive – she was a plucky little girl who swore like a trooper and had a mouth that just ran away with her – she made me really laugh out loud at times.

The girls are sent to Wales and settle very happily with a minister and his wife. But fate gets in the way and the girls have to go to another placement and this one is terrible. It is from this place that the girls flee and decide to head back to London.

It is very obvious that Sandy Taylor has done a study of the plight of the evacuees and she shows the mixed fortunes of the refugee children and how some were lucky with who they moved in with, and others were not so lucky and placed into situations where they were abused. The organisers who placed the children into care were so overwhelmed by the numbers of children they had to place that they did little more than drop them off at the front door and often not follow up on how the children were going.

This was a really, good story and no matter how bad things got the majority of humans pulled together and helped each other out. The closeness of the girl’s London neighbours was a prime example – when the bombs started dropping you all got each into the shelter and then kept each other’s spirits up. In fact wherever the girls went – in that time of war – people pulled together , with a few exceptions. THE RUNAWAY CHILDREN was my first Sandy Taylor book and she has been contracted to write more books for Bookouture Publishing – so while I wait for those I have the Brighton Girls trilogy to catch up on.

With thanks to Bookouture and the author via Netgalley for my copy to read and review

Eva

For reasons I can’t explain, the World War II era always fascinates me so when this novel popped up on my radar, I couldn’t resist its lure. This story centres around children being evacuated during the war and I can’t even begin to imagine what that was like. Not for the parents who felt this was the only option to keep their children safe, nor for the children who were forced to leave everything and everyone they knew and loved behind to go off and live with strangers on the other side of the country.

Thirteen year old Nell and her five year old sister Olive live near the docks in the East End. It’s all they’ve ever known and while they’re poor, even during the war they’re trying to make the best of things. Then it is decided the sisters should be evacuated and they are sent away to Wales. But will they be safe there?

Prepare yourself for the characters of Nell and Olive to worm their way into your heart and stay there forever! They miss their families enormously but Nell stays strong for her sister and takes her responsibilities very seriously for a girl so young. Olive is an absolute treasure. An incredibly witty and brave child who made me chuckle more than once and gives her sister strength without even realising it.

As often happens in stories like these, it’s the community spirit that tends to get to me. Something that’s sorely lacking in this day and age. People who will stop everything at the drop of a hat to help someone out, even if their circumstances aren’t exactly perfect either. People who open their doors to strangers, who share their meagre rations, who look out for each other.

I absolutely adored The Runaway Children from the very first moment. It’s an incredibly heartwarming, though sometimes also sad, story about family, love, hope and survival. I loved every minute I got to spend with Nell and Olive and the various other characters they meet on their journey. It left me feeling all warm, fuzzy and hopeful. If you like beautifully written stories set in the WWII era, then you should definitely give this one a go!

Renita D'Silva

I absolutely adore this author. She has a way of transporting you to the world of her stories and the lives of her characters - books like hers are why I read. This was a beautiful book - the author's prose is to die for. And this tale - wow! Original and stunning. I was invested in the lives of the characters, I lived out their dramas and came away changed in some small, meaningful way. This is a stunningly written masterpiece of a book that I will be thinking of for a long time. Loved it. Highly recommend it to everyone.

Leona

Oh my goodness what an absolutely fantastic story this was . I absolutely loved it . 13 year old Nell and her 5 year old sister are evacuated from East End London in 1942 and sent to Wales . They leave behind their mother and two brother . This book tells the story of the two girls and how after a bad experience they make the decision to return to their family in London making their way in their own from Wales. This is an absolutely wonderful story that had me laughing in places and next thing I had tears rolling down my face . Sandy Taylor has an absolutely fabulous way of telling a story . If you’ve already read her Brighton Girls trilogy you will already know what a superb author she is and how she has this superb knack of bringing her characters to life. I would give this book more than five stars if I could.

Deanne Patterson

I was unable to stop reading this book, it's gripping,mesmerizing and will leave you feeling many emotions throughout it! It was heartbreaking and heartwarming and when all sense of hope was lost it was found. Portrays streetwise children in London who must be evacuated for their safety during the early 1940's. This is a keeper!
Pub Date 08 Dec 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah

What an absolutely fabulous book this is.

I have to start with Olive from the book. What an adorable and wonderful character. There is such a lovely innocence about her and she brings a certain amount of humour into the story. I absolutely loved the relationship between her and Nell, it truly was so lovely to read and my heart just melts even now just thinking about it.

Nell is yet another fabulous character. Having to grow up quickly whilst being a mother as well as a sister to Olive. I couldn’t imagine being sent away from home and having to live with strangers, even though it is for their own safety. I wanted to reach out and give a big hug so many times with what she has to carry on her shoulders.

There are a few unsavoury characters but mainly the characters in this story are just scrumptious. I loved each and every one of them. Each one stands out in their own right and I so wished I could vanish into those pages to meet them all in person as I wanted to have the relationship that Nell did with them.

The Runaway Children is a book that readers will treasure. It’s one of those reads that is timeless and will be enjoyed for many years to come. Mesmerizing, beautiful, sweet, funny, I just adored The Runaway Children and feel bereft at having now finished it. Without a doubt this is one book I could read again and again and I know I will love it even more than the last time I read it. Simply wonderful!

My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Sue Seligman

I enjoyed my second read on my new Kindle Paperwhite. This story of families affected by the horrors of the London Blitz was riveting and emotional. Thirteen year old Nell and her five year old sister, Olive, are evacuated to the countryside of Wales because their mother feared for their safety during the bombing of the city of London. The girls’ brother Tony was supposed to go with the, but at the last minute he jumped off the train and went back to take care of his mother who had recently given birth to a baby boy. Their father was at sea fighting in the war, and Tony felt responsible for his mother and little brother. Thus began the journey of Nell and Olive during the years of England’s war experience...from a vicarage in Wales to a desolate farm and ultimately back to their roots in the city, finally ending up in Sussex Downs. The two girls spent three years meeting many people whom they would love and who would return that love, as well as encountering not so wonderful characters. The individuals who emerge from these pages are empathetic and unforgettable, and the author’s rich descriptions of the city and the countryside transport the reader to the settings. The loose ends of the story are wrapped up neatly during the final chapters and the epilogue, and ended with a satisfying conclusion, albeit sometimes sad and other times uplifting . Highly recommend!

Joanna Park

The thing that most stands out about this book is the child narrator that helps add an element of innocence to a difficult situation and gives the reader a different slant on the events of world war two. The book is narrated by Nell, the oldest of four siblings with an attitude older than her years. She is very much used to looking after her brothers and sister and often takes on the mother role when her mother is incapacitated. She particularly looks after her younger sister Olive and their relationship and the closeness they enjoy is lovely to read about and leads to some very heartwarming scenes. It also helps to add humor to the story which often had me laughing out loud, particularly at Olive’s very truthful observations and Nell’s replies. The two sister’s, Nell and Olive where my favourite characters in the book and I really enjoyed reading about them and the huge journey they go on throughout the book.

It’s hard to believe how shambolic and dis-organised the evacuation system was. The fact that children didn’t know where they were going and to whom chills my heart as a mother and must have been very difficult for the mothers who chose to evacuate their children. The children were given to anyone who would take them without them being vetted or checked up on in any way which lead to some horrific situations with children being taken advantage of in many ways. Some of the passages relating to the experiences of the evacuees where quite heart breaking and lead to some quite poignant scenes.

The author does a brilliant job at setting the scene and making me feel that i really was in world war two watching all the action unfold. I loved the descriptions of the community in the (in)famous tennament blocks and the way that they all looked out for each other, solving their own problems without getting the authorities involved. It was really nice to read about neighbours caring about one another in this way, something that has unfortunately been lost today. Her descriptions of village life in world war two was also brilliantly described leading to some lovely heartwarming scenes, especially when the children realise how different life is in the village to what they are used to at home.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I will definitely be reading more from her in the future as I loved her style of writing and the characters that she has managed to bring to life in The Runaway Children. In parts this book reminded me of Goodnight Mr Tom, especially the description of the children’s experiences in the village.

Thank you to Kim Nash from Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy of this book and for inviting me on the blog tour.

Judy Collins

Review to follow.

Annie

A very enjoyable read with the storyline set in WW2.
Sandy Taylor is a new to me author and I will definitely be looking at reading more.

Nell and Olive are now living in Wales after being evacuated from London. During WW2 many children in the UK were evacuated from bomb torn cities into the country. Parents had their children evacuated because they believed that they would be safe away from the bombing. However, many children went to terrible homes where they were exploited and used as free child labour, others abused or poorly fed. Fortunately many children were taken in by genuine kind people who wanted to do their bit for the war effort. Nell and Olive are lucky, in that they have been taken in by a vicar and his wife. Once they have adjusted to life in Wales, they make new friends and love living with Beth and Dylan.

One day, Dylan tell the girls that he is having to move to a new parish in Cardiff and unfortunately the girls cannot go with them. Both girls are devastated by this news and don't want to move to a new family, but they don't have a say in the matter and are moved to a remote farm some 20 miles away.

Life for Nell and Olive is now much worse. Being the elder sister, Nell develops coping strategies for them both and another evacuee on the farm also helps them. Events one day force Nell into taking action, which ends in dire consequences for both girls and they

A very good storyline and excellent descriptions as to how life was in WW2. How people pull together in the force of adversity. All the characters are great, especially Olive and her humour.

Many thanks for the digital copy that I received via Netgalley.

Sharon

Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for this review copy, given in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Kim from Bookouture for organising the Blog Tour!

This was my first Sandy Taylor book and I’m ashamed to admit it!! I like books set during the war, so why I haven’t read more by this author, I don’t know! The story is based around a Bermondsey family at the height of the London Blitz. Nell is the oldest of the children, although is nearly a young woman herself. She has two younger siblings, Tony and Olive and her mother has just had another baby, Freddie. London is becoming more dangerous due to the bombings and her mother decides to send the three children off to the countryside as evacuees. Tony decides he doesn’t want to go, so it’s down to Nell to look after her sister, Olive. They are evacuated to a little village in Wales, to be looked after by the local vicar and his wife. They settle in really well until one day Olive’s safety is threatened. Nell has to make a decision to protect them and she and Olive go on the run back home.

What a lovely story! I fell in love with this book as soon as I started reading it. You are immediately dragged into the 1940’s with such great storytelling, and it was that realistic that I was sure I could smell the smokiness of London during the Blitz as I was reading! I’ve read books about evacuees before and have always thought how heart-breaking it must have been for both the parents and the children to have to leave each other without knowing whether they would ever see each other again. When Nell’s brother Tony decided that he was going to stay in London with his mum, poor Nell then had to have the responsibility of looking after Olive on her own.

I loved all the characters, especially Olive. Coming from a typical East End family, little Olive certainly wasn’t one to mind her manners! No matter how many times she was told not to swear, she still did it anyway! The book covers right through to the end of the war and is wonderfully written. Without giving any spoilers, the generosity of the people that Nell and Olive meet throughout their time truly shows the wartime spirit that I’ve always heard about.

A heart-warming and funny story about family, friends and love. As Olive would say “absolutely bloody wonderful!”

Five Stars!

Lori

This deeply touching story gives us a glimpse of the perspective of Olive and Nell as they adapt to life as evacuees during the devastation of the Second World War.

In among the hardships, ration books, bombings, plane crashes and unspeakable acts, I learn I have things in common with these sisters.

We share the love of the same books.

I also saw the beauty they saw as well as recognized their horror. Horror in what they overcame and beauty in their expression of love in a prayer over men they did not know, and a shared hope that others would return home safely to their loved ones.

It's a tale of sibling remembrances with lots of intense action written into its short chapters. It would make an excellent book club selection.

Reviewed ARC for Net Galley.

Suze

It's 1942 and life in Bermondsey in London is becoming more and more dangerous. That is why thirteen-year-old Nell and her five-year-old sister Olive are being evacuated. They end up in Wales. Living in the countryside is a new experience, something they have to get used to. Being taken in by kind people isn't a given, will Nell and Olive be lucky enough to find loving people to look after them while they are far away from their family?

Initially things seem to be going well for Olive and Nell, but something changes and this makes their lives a lot more unstable. Nell tries to protect Olive as well as she can, but it isn't easy to keep her little sister safe. When something bad is about to happen to Olive it's up to Nell to save her sister. However, her decision will have huge consequences and it's the beginning of a long and dangerous journey. Will they survive the difficult road ahead?

The Runaway Children is a beautiful emotional story about war, family, friendship and love. I immediately liked Nell. She's strong, kindhearted and caring. She has to look out for her little sister and Olive is quite something. She's wise for her age, she's incredibly beautiful and she says the strangest things. Reading about her often made me smile and it brought some wonderful lightness to a story set in heavy times. I liked that combination of hard and soft and brightness and dark very much. Sandy Taylor skillfully alternates between hope and sadness, which is something that suits the time frame incredibly well.

What I liked the most about The Runaway Children is the close bond between Nell and Olive. It's indestructible, they're always there for each other and it's clear they love each other very much and would do anything for one another. I'm a big fan of stories about sisters and this is definitely a good one. I was impressed by the warmth of their relationship and the easy way they talk to each other. The age gap makes their bond even more interesting and the dialogue is fantastic.

Sandy Taylor has written a brilliant gripping story. I was captivated by Nell and Olive from the start. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out if they'd survive the war and read The Runaway Children in one sitting. The people Nell and Olive meet on their journey are intriguing and some of them immediately found a way to my heart. The Runaway Children is filled with unexpected twists and turns and has a gorgeous ending that moved me to tears. I love it when I feel so much when I'm reading a story. I highly recommend this absolute gem of a story.

Donna Maguire

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I am currently reading a lot of historical fiction books so I was delighted when this book arrived on my Kindle!

I have really enjoyed this authors previous books and was delighted that this one was written with the same high standards and excellent attention to details. You really do feel as though you are with them in the period as you read their story. The characters were well rounded and I really enjoyed learning more about them and watching them develop as the story went on.

Five stars from me, it is a heart-warming story that really touched me and left me thinking about the book long after I'd finished it.

Kaisha (The Writing Garnet)

All reviews can be found on my blog at
https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com

Wow. I struggled to read this book, I’m not going to lie. No, I don’t mean that I struggled to read it because of how it was written, or that I struggled reading it due to any other negative reason. Not at all. I struggled reading ‘The Runaway Children’ because of how emotive and poignant the storyline was. We are taught at school about how things were during the war and, whilst those pieces of information are still quite difficult to digest, a lot of the time it doesn’t seem to work its way to our core. We either shrug it off because ‘it doesn’t affect us’, or we have no idea how to approach history itself. With Sandy Taylor’s novel, that is where everything changed for me personally. I have always loved history, but for the duration of this book, I was able to see things from a completely different point of view. Gone were the historical dates which everyone had to learn just because. Sandy Taylor wrote a story about what happened to people. Whilst the storyline itself is fictional, a lot of it is based on history, after all, children DID have to get evacuated during the war. ‘The Runaway Children’ is a story which is guaranteed to grab hold of your heart and not let it go.

Set in London during the early 1940’s, two sisters are being sent away from the devastation which the war has caused to their beloved city. Why? For safety of course. The opposition didn’t want to throw bombs down in a middle of an empty field, they wanted to attack cities full of monuments and thousands of people. So they did. Unfortunately for Nell, Olive and thousands of other children, London was no longer a safe place to live and their only hope of staying safe would be to leave. Poor Nell has the task of being in charge of her little sister come rain or shine. Okay, for many of us, that would seem like an okay thing to do. For Nell however, the responsibility was extremely large, especially when they found themselves moving from pillar to post on more than one occasion.

It’s not that I was ignorant when it came to learning about evacuees, I just hadn’t had a reason to delve into that period of history to a level which Sandy Taylor has in this story. And, because of that, the entire storyline hit home on a completely unexpected level. I’m not sure whether it was my motherly instincts or the fact that I am indeed human with my own set of emotions, but ‘The Runaway Children’ gave me the feels. It really was like reading a book which made you happy one moment, angry the next, and then realising your face is sodden with tears. How do I know this? Because it happened.

Sandy Taylor has taken a memorable, historical event, and laid it bare to make all of her readers sit up and listen. It certainly made me sit up and listen, that’s for sure! I was absolutely blown away by the intense level of emotion, mixed with the poignancy only a story of this calibre could bring. I shouldn’t sit here and say that I loved this book because of what it contained, however, I really did love this book because it reached my soul in a way I could never really describe. This story highlighted the fact that the little things in life are important, and there is no use wasting your time on stupid things when there are far more important people (and things) to concerned yourself with.

The characters in this book are inspiration beyond belief, and have taught me so much in such a short space of time. ‘The Runaway Children’ is one of the best historical fiction/saga novels I have ever read. You really would be a fool not to grab a copy and travel back in time with Nell and Olive. For me, Olive stole the show and her innocence made the rest of the storyline shine bright like a diamond (whilst also making me laugh out loud more than once).

Written absolutely beautiful and straight from the heart, ‘The Runaway Children’ will forever have a place in my heart alongside Nell, Olive, and Ms Timony. A delightful, heart-warming story from start to finish.

Thanks Bookouture.

Sue McQuaide Kitt

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.

Thirteen-year-old Nell and five-year-old Olive are evacuated to the Welsh countryside from the devastation of the East End in 1942.

This book seemed to have it all, family loyalty, friendship, love, sadness and beautiful and realistic characters, especially the adorable and funny Olive and I will miss these children.

Very highly recommended.

Michelle

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.

Title	:	The Runaway Children
Author	:	Sandy Taylor
Rating	:
ISBN	:	-
Language	:	English
Format Type	:	Kindle Edition
Number of Pages	:	365
Publication	:	First published December 8, 2017

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