See How They Run

by David McRobbie

Emma and her family are abruptly torn from their home and everything they know when their father is placed on the Witness Protection Scheme. After moving around to several towns in the UK, the family finally emigrates to Australia, but trouble still follows them there.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Thriller, School

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

David McRobbie is a full-time writer and lives in Brisbane. David is the author of Flying with Granny, Prices, and Mandragora, which was short-listed for the 1992 Children's Book Council of the Year Award for Older Readers. David's most recent titles, Schemes, Wages of Wayne, This Book is Haunted and Timelock were published in 1993.

Reviews

[Booksaboutem · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a walk down nostalgia road! I loved this show growing up and I have to say having finally finished the book…. The show was much better 🙈 but still a fun and enjoyable read

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is what I think of as YA - a lot of discussion of school, thoughts of romance with the opposite sex, barely tolerating your sibling, slightly dorky parents, and juvenile writing - not the often very 'adult' books that are branded as YA by today's publishers. The writing really was very juvenile; it was totally believable as being written by a 16/17-year-old, in fact it sounded a lot like what I used to write in my diary when I was an even younger teenager (although my entries didn't involve the witness protection program or drug lords). I can see how I enjoyed it as a teenager, but it doesn't hold up as an adult (why weren't they more bothered by the loss of their family dog, their house, and then when Nicola was abducted, again the reactions seemed muted compared to what I would've expected). Good to finally reread this after about 25 years, review it, and now pass it on to a new generation (would today's 12-year-olds like this? I don't know anyone under the age of 30, so no idea if it would still be enjoyed by them).

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Average to the point of being terrible. the characters express emotions by telling the reader directly what they are feeling (this can be done very skillfully but McRobbie failed to do so). Dull, even though its supposed to have some elements of a thriller.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched the TV adaptation of this book growing up, and it's one of those thats always stuck in my head. Luckily I managed to finally find a copy of the book a while ago and it's been really interesting going back to the memories of this story.

This is a novel following Emma and her family as something happens that turns their whole world around.
Emma is a normal teenage girl who lives with her parents and younger sister. When her dad finds out he has been working for a dangerous criminal and has to give evidence against him, the family have to go on the run for safety.
They leave their belongings and their home behind, always looking over their shoulders in case the bad guy tracks them down.

This is a rather intense read for the audience it's aimed for. You feel for Emma and her family as they are affected by events and forced into a situation that is scary.
I think this book is classed more as a middle grade novel, but due to the subject matter and the darker tone I would say its more of a ya novel instead.

It is darker in places but also a good read, and it's interesting to see how children are affected in the situation of a witness protection program.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great unpretentious little book, written for teens so should be read from that perspective. The characters feel genuine, the relationships and dialogues realistic and the story is exciting and gripping. A quick read but it made for a very enjoyable Saturday morning.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first thriller. I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. Shouldn't a thriller be...well, thrilling? At least a little? Nada, I thought. I never even felt suspense.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read in April 2013: I remember buying this book after watching the TV series (way back in 1999, according to the IMDb!), although there are quite a few differences in the story -- the TV series is obviously more dramatic, with some Shocking Plot Twists!™ at the end. I prefer the book, which never explains how the Cassidys were found, and focuses more on the characters and their relationships. I loved the feeling of solidity within the family. I also thought that Emma's voice was wonderful. Oh, and Nicola's opinions and sense of humour made me laugh so much. Little events like her letting the air out of the the hoons' car tyres, and keeping the valve cores as a sort of trophy, stuck with me for years.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the TV series, was delighted to find the book!

[Tanya (aka ListObsessedReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the TV series based on this when it came out in the late 90s. Found the book a few years later and loved that too. Most of the details have gotten a bit hazy now.

[Gouri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book..and I love Nicola..I read this book during Summer when I had nothing else to do and I finished it withing 2 hours..just loved it.

[Zac]

all right adventure

[Mz Niu booty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Absolutely loved it.