I could relate with the characters really well and the story line was gripping. However, it was some what predictable. If you read this, you'll see what I mean. But, regardless of this, I did enjoy it and think it was a very clever story. The cover is more inviting then some of the others, because many look like they're aimed at boys but in fact are good for both genders, and vice versa. I recommend this book, although it's not as strong as some of the others.

Laura gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

I liked this book because the story is guite realistic, sometimes guite sad but a great book about how no matter what the situation you are in youcan always find a friend some where.

sojourner-truth gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

It was an action packed book that made me keep the light on later than I usually do just to finish the chapter but when I did Iwas really supprized to find that I couldn't sleep because I was freting weather Leo got captured or not.Awsome book I liked the mad old lady (Mary) who Leo stayed with on her forage.

Charlotte gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

This book didn’t appeal to me as much as the others did. I think that it is a talented book but didn’t catch my attention. I read the first few chapters and I was not really interested about what was going to happen next, I thought that it was pretty predictable.

Liam gave Running on the Cracks 2 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I really enjoyed this book. It has a great story and I think the characters are really interesting. There was lots of really exciting moments althought the best 2 were the first 2 times her uncle tried to catch her. I love it when she finds her family and then she finds out that her grandad is still alive and lives opposite her cousin. But when her uncle discovers them it is really sad. I love the bit about Leo's letter and her other coisins email to her, it is kind of a big bit. The real revalation comes at the end in her messages from her cousin about what her uncle doe+s.

Sarah gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5.

I thought this was a brilliant book. I couldn't put it down. It had funny moments as well as exciting moments, and a mox of the two is never a bad idea. I really enjoyed this book, and I thought the characters were excellent. They were really well developed and I could clearly determine their personalities purely from their dialogue. That is why I give this book 5 out of 5. It is honestly a wonderful read.

Georgina gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read The Glittering Eye.

I found that this book was brilliant one of the best I have read in a long time! I found it very hard to put down as it is an interesting book .The plot was amazing and I wondered if she got caught till the very end!
I loved the characters, the best was defiantly Leo, and I found that she had amazing determination to escape from her Uncle John. Towards the end I liked Finley however at first I disliked him a lot!
Over all I think this book needed a 4/5 as it was amazing however it ended too soon!
You just have to read it!

Charlotte gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

the book is REALLY good i really like it i dont think there is thing that isnt good xxxxx

kitty gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

This book was really good. The characters were well thought out and slightly unusual making the book different from others. However strange these characters seemed to be they were kept realistic. I liked the plot of the book and the general mystery surrounding Leo's uncle. This is however slightly predictable at times but keeps you wondering throughout the book if indeed your suspicions are true. I also liked the way Leo goes on a bit of a journey and discovers friends and family that she would never have met if she had not runaway. In parts of the story bits were quite vague and not much was going on, however it was not a bad book.I enjoyed the characters and how they worked together well in the story but thought at times more could be going on.

Jasmine gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5.

Good but not great an interesting story about building relationships through all circumstances and how you can find friendship anywhere.

Jack gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5.

I quite enjoyed this book. It was very interesting, and captured me instantly from the beginning. It made me wonder if anything strange was happening, and I was keen to read on. However, because of the lack of empathy I was inclined to give this book a four out of five. Overall, this is an excellent book, and I would be happy to buy it in a store.

Georgina gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read The Glittering Eye.

A great book, fantasticly written a real page turner.Good story, great for all !!!!!!!!

Stephen gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

This book still wasn't a page turner but it was still interesting enough for me to read it all

Danny gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5.

This book was soooooooooo awsom on evrey page it left you in suspence.There was never a time when i wanted to put the book down.My mum had to remind me to go to sleep at times.I realy hope that Julia Donaldson writes more books and soon.

Abigail gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

I thought the book was exciting but I personally thought it could have been a little better. If it was better i would recomend it as one of the runners up for the awards.

Alicia gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I thought the book was quite exciting and adventurous.It was a good read and I enjoyed it.I wouldn't say it was the best one I have read so far but it was nice to read and I would advise people to read it.

kieran gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

I thought this book was entertaining and it touched on important issues.
I thought there wasn't enough action and the end was a bit boring but I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it.
Out of all the books this is proberly the order i would put them in( from best to worst.):
1.Colony

2. Life, Interrupted.

3. Blood Hunters.

4. Malice.

5. Running on the Cracks.

6. The Glittering Eye.

Frances gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5.

It is very interesting because you dont know whats going to happen next...... the main characters are Leo and Finaly.

Safura gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

This book was one of the best. The book focosed on lots of different issues, looking at individual charactors, while still being very believable. You can tell that the author did a lot of research into the issues they were writing about. I really enjoyed reading this book and would reccomend it to anyone.

Azhar gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5.

It intresting because you don't know what going to happen or where she is going next. The main two charaters are Leo and Finaly

Lakvinder gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

I did not like because i could not get in to it

Danielle gave Running on the Cracks 1 out of 5 and now plans to read Malice.

I thought "Running on the Cracks" was a really good book as the characters were very realistic and the story was fast-paced and exciting. The girl, Leo, is on the run from her "suspicious" uncle, and on her journey to Glasgow to find her Chinese relatives, she meets a lot of very individual people. The book contains a lot of twists in the plot and cliffhangers, yet it's very believable. I would definitely reccommend this to both boys and girls.

Fiona gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

this book was too confusing for me and i didn't really get inm to it.

abigail gave Running on the Cracks 2 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

Running on The Craks was amzaing because it was my type of book but it could of been 4 and half rate because in some parts of the book was compleacated and because the storyline was weird. I thought the characters were very unique and they were amzaing. It was a little odd when it describe the events. I hope that Julia Donaldson wind a award for this book. My favourite character was Leo. At first i didn't know why the author called it Running On The Cracks but at the end of book it soon became clear to me. I hopr this book does really good.

Neha gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

this is a good book that is a definite struggle to get into! i think that though it's good, it isn't one i'd read again. it was arther hard to get to know, and believe the characters. this comment is deffinately directed at the leo as she seem way younger than her stated age. when she was writing from her point of view,it seemed babyish, to say the least. finley seemed the best for relating to but why on earth at his age, is he working two jobs? he seemed like a character needed to help the other character, without a story of his own, trailing after leo helplessly. mary was the definition of a stereo-type; nothing more to say about her. this book, in my opinion, if written in a classroom and was marked by a teacher, would have the comment "good effort" on it. "good effort but..." so i have given this book a 3/5 because it was "ok but..."

thea gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5.

The book was great, fascinating. Leo was my favourate character. She was intresting and cool! I didn't like uncle John because the things he did wasn't right. I couldn't leave the book it was too good to not read it!

Rebecca gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

i really enjoyed this book and would probably definetly read it again. it was really exciting and exzilerating and i couldnt put it down, when i first saw it i didnt think i would enjoy it that much but obviously i was extremely wrong. the front cover didnt draw me in that much but reading the blurb on the back really made me want to read it because it sounded interesting and fun. this book has many elements to it, especially about chinese culture as leo (the main charactrer) is part chinese. this book is about her running away to glasgow and searching for her chinese grandparents along the way managing to find a lovely yet mad old woman, becoming one of the top people on the 'missing list' in the local papers and trying to start a new life and get away from her crazy bird-man uncle who tries to capture her and take her back but he ends up getting sent to prison. anyway, i dont want to spoil the book and tell you everything that happens in it, but i would DEFINETLY recommend it to everyone! i absolutely LOVED it!!!

Isobel gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5.

I liked this book, but it wasn't really what i was expecting. I am rating it 4 out of 5. i wouldn't mind reading it again.

Sophia gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

Wow - "Running on the Crack", "she knows who she's running from but who's she running too?", "if you step on a crack, it could be him." - lines on the cover that I think are amazing unfortunately I wish I could say the same for the 320 pages in between. The characters are definately interesting but they become so bland as the book goes on. Leonara is interesting but she's an orphan, what a surprise (see my Blood Hunters review for why I don't like this). Finley is the stand out character because he's so normal, yes he's normal which is quite surprising considering most characters in this shortlist. Finley works well because he is someone everyone can relate to. Mary is weird and the scene where Mary goes into Hospital is embarassing because it's so un-original, friends convince someone who needs help to do something before it's too late and that is the low-point of the novel by far. The other characters are just as boring. The purverted uncle makes no sense and isn't explained which turns a decent novel into this, they spend ages trying to find out about what he wants and other things and then he turns out to be just as purverted as we knew he was and he gets arrested for something stupid. He isn't a villain because he isn't shown as a villain, he's not shown as sympathetic, he's not shown as evil, he's not shown as anything, he was the most interesting character in the book but with no motive, no personality, no given idea at all. The ending is awful as it does not clear up a single thing, it just repeats what we already know. in fact, the whole novel could be wtitten in 100 pages because it just stretched out with a happy ending. The bullying cousins turn out to be alright, the uncle gets arrested, Leonara begins to learn Chinese and Finley just does what he does so the books fails to estabish a point. What's the ending saying, purverted uncles will get arrested? Every cloud has a silver lining? Leonara's life will improve? Something completely different? Every character is too nice in this novel, another way of saying it expands. Now based on what I've said, I may be willing to give it a 1 but I'm not going to because it is by far the most realistic novel in the book and everyone can relate to it, even a pessimistic, hard to please person like me (or so I've been told). But yeah, great novel but the ending and the Uncle let the entire story down.

Darren gave Running on the Cracks 2 out of 5.

it was really good i would keep it if i could

chloe gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

when i first pick uo this book i thought it would be more fantasy but i was pleasanty surpise because once i had picked up this book i could not put it down it had a fast moving book and felt real in the way it was written, even thought the story line was a bit wied at times and at the end it didn;t tell youu all the answers and you had to work some of then out for your self witch lest you wondering. but because this was julia donaldson's first book for teenagers she did a really great job i enjoyed this book alot !!!!!x =D

Rebecca gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

Running on the cracks is an a amazing book.It's a book where you have no idea whats coming on the next page. It's a book full of imagination, reality, excitement and action. It has an unexpected storyline, in that what the reader expects to happen doesn't! I think everyone shoud read this incredible book that is written exceptionally well! :)

Harriet gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read The Glittering Eye.

I think the book was not aimed at boy readers, but girls would like it. The story line was also a bit boring.

Luke gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5 and now plans to read Malice.

I thought the book was quite good at the beginning and kept me on my toes but then as i got further into the book it got a bit boring and confusing so unfortunately i couldn't get into it and had to stop about three quarters of the way through.

Catriona gave Running on the Cracks 2 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

The Running on the cracks was excellent i wanted there to be more in there so it would carry on. Back of the book s descreption was super it made me want to read the book

Georgie gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

It was very good and thrilling especially when leo is running from her uncle there is a lot of suspense and its just really good!

April gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

I thought that this book was really good. At first I thought it was a bit odd because of how it describes the different events that happened. I especially liked the part where Zigger started to bite Uncle John to give them time to run away. i didn't realise why the authour called it Running On The Cracks but at the end, it soon became clear to me. I also think that the characters are very unique. I liked Leo's character and I also like the crazy old woman, Mary. Anyway, I think that this was a really good book and I would recommend it, but I'm not sure what kind of people would think it was a good read. But, I definitely thought that it was a good read. 5 out of 5. Well, it was more like 4 and 3/4, because the storyline was a bit weird at times. =D

Rachael gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

I thought this book was really good. I would deffinatley read this book again and again. The plot of this book was really good. I really thought it was full of action.

Jodie gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A VERY GOOD BOOK AND I WOULD RECOMMENDED IT TO ANYONE WHO WISHES TO READ SUCH A GOOD BOOK

STACY gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

Things I liked about this book are that it had you hooked until the end, at the end it didn't totally tell you what was and what wasn't it left you to work that out for yourself - so you could say that it was a tiny bit mysterious. Also it felt kind of real the way it was written,it had things that would actually happen because some stories that are fiction but could happen don't have that feel;it showed what humans usually do in situations that this story brings up. One of the most important things about it is that it is hard not to like it because of the balanced way it is written-it is easy to see that a lot of work has been put into it. Some of the things that I didn't like about this book are that even though at first it seems that there is nothing wrong with its reality it doesn't show any sickness (apart from mental disorders but that is more to do with permanent pain and it is more likely that a person who has that disorder it can be interpreted that is not afraid of anything to make friends with you)there is no signs of illness throughout the book this is in a way not realistic but it does also add to the reality at the same time because there is sometimes no sickness and some authors put sickness in because they have nothing else to put in. In conclusion I think that even if you are drawn to other types of books then you will find this book cold change your mind about this type of writing.

jakub gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

It was a great book!!!! I always wanted to keep reading! And the front and back cover are very eye catching!
It also has a great ending!!!!!!

Samantha gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read The Glittering Eye.

I think it was the best book ever. I hope that Julia Donaldson should win the award. I especially liked the part where Leo tried to escape from her Uncle and then Zigger the dog started to bite Uncle John.

Katie gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

I enjoyed reading this book because it is filled with action but it didnt make me want to read on as much as the others.

Georgina gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

A reflect of what happens in a child's daily life. The consequences of being rejected.Friends and foes, it's really tragic.I feel her pain. Definitely worth reading!!!

Donlisha gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

this book is brilliant. at first i didn't get the plot but the more i read the more i understood. it is jammed packed with excitement and intensity providing for a brilliant read. it gets really tense and you can feel what the characters are feeling. You think they will do stuff but then do the totally opposite

chris gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Malice.

a very good page turning book full of adventure which i like in a book i was intreged to find out what happens next a great book which i would love to read again and definatly recommend this book to anybody this book has been put in the right catorgary because younger people may not like this

christopher gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.

Im usally into fanstay and horror,and at first I didnt think i would enjoy it, but I ended up reading it in 2 days!! Differnty worth read!
=D x

Eva gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Life, Interrupted.

This book is really, really good. I couldn't put the book dowm- thats how gripping it was! The story was very realistic and was very on point as it showed what teenagers lives could be like.

Gugandeep gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

I really enjoyed this book I loved the characters, I could realate to the characters and thier feelings.

Laura gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

An excellent book, it has a very interesting plot. It is about a girl called Leonora ( Leo for short) and she has run away from home to look for her grandparents in Glasgow. After arriving in Glasgow, she meets Finley during a doughnut theft. Leo was then taken in by a woman called Mary. With the help of Finley, she escapes her uncle and finds her relations. A very moving book which could make you laugh, cry and smile at what Leo and Finley get up to. A guaranteed happy ending!

Abigail gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read The Glittering Eye.

I liked this book because of the fact it was based on fact, although it lost its momentum in the middle while Leo was living with Mary, as it was just a bit, well, boring! nothing much happened, although i do like books about runaways, this was a bit of a let down. the plot was good, and the fact that it was split into the differant points of view. it was genrally quite fast-paced, but the end just seemed a bit too perfect. like a faerie-tayle. i didn't like it aas much as the others, and i didn't quite understand the whole thing about not running on the cracks. it was okay, not great. i much preferr the gruffalo by julia donaldson!

Shaniece gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5 and now plans to read Malice.

This would be perfect for people who like books that could be based on fact, because the plot is written to make it it feel like it really happened, and it is true that is could actually happen. To sum it up, its about a runaway's strive to find saftey and happiness. The book includes topics such as abuse, looking for long lost family and finding a good friend. Julia Donaldson has proved what a good writer she is, because she is now the author of this wonderfully well written book that stands out amongst even other good books. Superb.

Chloe gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I really liked this book beacause it was not a complicated plot and the story line and characters was interesting. I especially liked Mary because i could imagine her in my mind. I couldnt put this book down because you wanted to know what happened next! I would recomend this book to anyone.

Derry gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I tthink running on thecracks is a really good book. I like it because it is very realistic and believable the events that take place through out the book are quite surprising but sometimes you could guess what was going to happen. I liked it when you knew what was going to happen and the characters didn't. I really like the stroy line. Brilliant book!!!!

Ellen gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I really enjoyed this book its amazing how the author writes about real life problems and makes you not want to put it down. It was a runnaway story and at first I didnt understand the whole conncept of the title but it made sence when the librarian explained it to me. The main point of the book was finding leo's family but along the way many other things occured.I rated 5/5 as it is a brilliant book and I cant really fault it! I would reccomend this to anyone who likes a modern day real life story.

Natasha gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I think this book is very good because it was believeible so you could put yourself in the characters shoes and think of how you would feel in that situation. It was about how two people who didn't know each other became more friendly and close. I wanted to finish it as soon as id read the first chapter !!

Natasha gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I really liked running on the cracks because it got me involved in the story really quickly and it kept me wanting more right until the very end when I finished it and I was annoyed then that I read it so quickly!
It is about a girl called Leo (15) who is running away from her nasty uncle, and Finlay (13) who is helping her find her grandparents and a new home.

Hannah gave Running on the Cracks 5 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

This book created lots of suspense and suprises and it could actually happen in real life. there were many things that Leo had to face and fight and trying to keep her spirits up even when her grandfather did't even see her or when Mary went to hospital.
Overall it is a good book so I gave it a four out of five.

James gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Colony.

i think that Running on the Cacks is brilliant book because it has a great stroy lineand it has a desciption on how the ccharacters feel. The book is good because it creates lots of suspence and even through it is not real the author makes it sound realistic as if it really happened. I found it very interesting as while Leonara was trying to find her grand parents shealso had someone who was on her tail. it was different from any other books that i read especially as it is very surpising in the end as it shows if she did find her grand parents and if the person who was on her tail find did actually find her. I gave it a 4 out of 5 because even through i liked it the author could of had a better middle and made it more exciting when she was staying with mary. I would recommend this book as it is an exciting book to read and you would enjoy reading it as it is a very easy book to get in to.

Abigail gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5 and now plans to read Blood Hunters.

I think Running On The Cracks is a good book because the story-line is exciting and creates a lot of suspense. It's also good because although its not a true story, it seems quite realistic and has probably happened in the real world before!
Running On The Cracks has also got some bad points; the story was brilliant and descriptive while Leonara was running away but whilst it was around the middle when she was staying with Mary, the book seemed to loose its appeal to me. I also didn't like the ending because everything flowed together and it made Running On The Cracks seem like a fairytale.
I gave Running On The Cracks 3 out of 5 because it was a great story but it seemed to be a bit dreary in the middle and right at the end.

Anna gave Running on the Cracks 3 out of 5 and now plans to read Malice.

I think the book created alot of suspence and that is why I liked it

Jessica gave Running on the Cracks 4 out of 5.