Running Away for Beginners by Mark Illis (author) and Scholastic (illustrator)

“Funny, heartfelt and ultimately hopeful” – The Scotsman

You can’t run from bad news. Or can you? Jasper was just diagnosed with cancer. His treatment starts in a week, and in the meantime his parents want him to carry on as normal. Jasper knows that’s impossible. His friends help to organize a weekend trip to get away from everything that’s happened and clear his mind. It’ll be like running away for beginners, they joke. On the journey, they come to understand each other better as everyone’s secrets come out. Except Jasper doesn’t tell his friends his own secret: that when the return journey begins, he won’t be going with them.

• A funny, heartfelt journey of a book, with vivid friendship dynamics and an unforgettable protagonist and narrator facing devastating news
• This story was inspired by Mark Illis’s own experiences from when he was a teen diagnosed with cancer
• Perfect for fans of John Green and Nicola Yoon