The Not-So Great Escape - Emma Green

Things have been tricky for Hedley since the accident that killed his mum: his dad's legs 'no longer work'  so he spends his days in bed.  As a result, Hedley spends weekends at Bridlebank Therapy Centre where he shares a room with Aiden who seems intent on bullying him.  Heldey prefers to play things safe all the time whereas Aiden is happy to take risks.  So what happens when the pair are sent to help out at Farmer Bert's Petting Farm?  A stolen alpaca, an accidental robbery and a night on the run is what.  But when the unlikely group become an internet sensation, can the adventure help Hedley learn that playing it safe isn't always best?

Hedley hates taking risks and spends his life calculating the the risk of everything he does.  His life has changed immeasurably since the accident and this is clearly what drives what he does.  He is protective of two things: his sister and the hat his mum gave him; not that his room mate Aiden respects that.  Aiden clearly has his own issues and his father's ever changing occupations when he talks about him hints as to why Aiden is the way he is.  Although the boys appear very different, it is clear as the book progresses that they need each other.  Aiden is the mastermind behind the alpaca heist and his unique take on everything is humorous to read.

The Not-So Great Escape is full of laughs and capers as the mad-capped adventure unfolds whilst Aiden, Hedley and his sister Lilly help to return an alpaca to the home they believe it should be in.  Along the way, quite by accident, the mis-matched group become famous and the media updates at the ends of chapters creates a unique update,

The book is huge amounts of fun and the plot is fast-paced but, woven into that are some strong, important messages for readers, with an ending that I really didn't see coming (it stopped me in my tracks and I was grateful I wasn't reading it in public...).  Perfect for fans of Jenny Pearson, The Not-So Great Escape is a story about finding yourself, friendship and learning to move on, and is going to be a huge hit when it published on the 1st January.