The Not-So Great Escape

A big-hearted comedy caper by first-timer Emma Green. * The Observer *
A moving adventure with moments of high drama but also pathos. * The Bookseller *
The Not-So Great Escape is a story where a mountain of disastrous decisions result in a ridiculous journey filled with tears, loss, laughter and alpacas! Loved it! -- Em Lynas
Fast-paced, brilliantly funny and full of heart - a story about loss, friendship and finding the courage to take risks again. This is one of those rare, special books that makes you laugh out loud and think deeply all at once. I loved it. -- Jenny Pearson
A must-have addition to any school library, blending humour with emotional depth as it explores friendship, grief and finding courage. The chaotic adventure has plenty to hook reluctant readers - who can resist a stolen alpaca?! - while the exploration of loss and emotional honesty offers opportunities for wider discussions. * The School Library Association *
Escape into this exciting adventure, brimming with humour and heart, and a loyal woolly friend who might just change a life. Perfect for readers of 9+. * Book Craic blog *
Here, in her first book for children, author Emma Green explores both the motivation to run away and its aftermath in a middle grade story that is at times very funny but at others is incredibly sad. Examining grief, bullying and poor parental mental health, this is a book that fans of Jenny Pearson's Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates and Simon James Green's Finn Jones Was Here will love and one that would make a great class read in upper KS2. * Mrs Sydney's Famous World's Smallest Library blog *
The Not-So Great Escape is everything I love about middle-grade, plus alpaca mischief! Funny and genuinely moving, this is a standout debut. -- Carlie Sorosiak
A wonderfully hilarious read. * Armadillo *
The Not-So Great Escape has the ability to have you roaring one minute and bawling the next - this exploration of friendship and grief makes it such a poignant and important read for both children and adults. -- Tom Griffiths * Check 'Em Out Books blog *
A thought provoking debut -- Library Lady blog * New Children's Books this January *
I adored this book! It's a warm-hearted, moving middle-grade adventure about courage, friendship and grief, with a hilarious dose of alpaca mischief thrown into the mix. * Olivia Wakeford, children's author *
Readers will laugh along with their antics as they explore empathy, grief and how people need help to face the world following a tragedy. * Scope For Imagination blog *
The School Reading Lists' five word review: Grief, understanding, friendship, alpaca, counselling. * School Reading List *
The Not-so Great Escape is a thought-provoking narrative penned by Emma Green, offering readers a blend of suspense, introspection, and adventure. * Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books blog *
Guaranteed to make you cry as well as laugh, The Not-So Great Escape is a very special debut which blends mischief, mayhem and fast-paced drama with some piercing emotional insights into family, friendship, coping with the death of a loved one, and finding the courage to keep on living and loving. * Lancashire Evening Post *