Runt

Publisher's synopsis

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.

Upcoming resource

Awards

Winner, Dymocks Book of the Year for Younger Readers, 2022, AU
Winner, Best Children’s Book, Indie Book Awards, 2023, AU
Winner, Book of the Year: Younger Readers, CBCA Awards, 2023, AU
Winner, Book of the Year, Indie Book Awards, 2023, AU
Winner, Children’s Book of the Year, BookPeople Book of the Year Awards, 2023, AU
Winner, Book of the Year for Younger Children, ABIAs, 2023, AU

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Craig Silvey

Craig Silvey is an author and screenwriter from Fremantle, Western Australia. His critically acclaimed debut novel, Rhubarb, was published in 2004. His bestselling novel, Jasper Jones, was released in 2009 and is considered a modern Australian classic. Published in over a dozen territories, Jasper Jones has won plaudits in three continents, including an International Dublin Literary Award shortlisting, a Michael J. Printz Award Honor, and a Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlisting. Jasper Jones was the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year for 2010. Craig’s third novel Honeybee was published in 2019 and won Best Fiction for the Indie Book Awards 2021 and Dymock’s Book of the Year 2020.

Photo courtesy of Allen & Unwin

Sara Acton

Sara Acton is an award-winning author and illustrator who grew up in the Cotswolds in England and now lives in a small seaside village on the Central Coast of NSW. She has always loved drawing, especially people and other strange creatures. She studied BA Hons Fine Art and trained as an Art Teacher in London. After teaching and practicing art in England and New Zealand Sara moved with her family to Australia. Her first picture book Ben and Duck won the 2012 Children’s Book Council of Australia Crichton Award for new illustrators.

Further Details

Author Craig Silvey

Illustrator Sara Acton

Publisher Allen & Unwin

Date of Publication 2022

ISBN 9781761067846

Category Novels

Pages

352