Description
A heart-warming, funny, beautifully told story for readers of all ages from the bestselling author of Jasper Jones and Honeybee.
'You don't have to carry the weight of the world in your tool belt.'
Annie Shearer lives in the country town of Upson Downs with her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt. The two share a very special bond.
After years evading capture, Runt is remarkably fast and agile, perfect for herding runaway sheep. But when a greedy local landowner puts her family's home at risk, Annie directs Runt's extraordinary talents towards a different pursuit - winning the Agility Course Grand Championship at the lucrative Krumpets Dog Show in London.
However, there is a curious catch: Runt will only obey Annie's commands if nobody else is watching.
With all eyes on them, Annie and Runt must beat the odds and the fastest dogs in the world to save her farm.
Runt is a heart-warming and hilarious tale of kindness, friendship, hurdles, hoops, tunnels, see-saws, being yourself and bringing out the best in others.
Review
Annie Shearer is different, as was her Grandfather before her. She likes to fix things and so she wears a tool belt at all times. Annie lives in a drought ridden country town called Upson Downs, and she doesn’t have any friends.
That is until Runt, the dog that has been menacing the town, befriends her and they become inseparable, sharing a real magical connection.
Annie’s evil neighbour, Earl Robert- Barren, has dammed the town’s water supply and as unprofitable farms are placed up for sale he is slowly buying the dying town.
When Annie sees that there is a $500 prize at the Town Show for the Dog Agility Course, she enters Runt and wins. They go on to win the National competition and suddenly they are off to London with the chance to win a $250,000 prize at the world famous Krumpets Dog Show. Can she possibly win and save their farm forever?
This premise is enough to make it a great story but there is so much more that make this a wonderful read.
From seeing the whole town getting behind their unlikely heroes, to Annie trying to overcome both the evil Earl and the cheating Fergus Fink at each competition, to her Grandma Dolly (herself a powerhouse of a woman) backing Annie, and learning that her father has spent the last 20 years trying to maintain the family farm but also secretly following a passion of his own, there is so much to love about Runt.
With themes of following your dream, accepting differences, the importance of family and hope for the future this is an incredible story that will be adored by 8—12 year olds, especially those who love animals.
Reviewed by Rob
