Morven Brown's story about Run,Zan Run
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Author: Catherine MacPhail
SynopsisKatie is being bullied at school - and cannot get anyone to believe her. She feels frightened and alone until one day when she is cornered by Ivy and her fellow bullies on the town dump. Katie is terrified, there is nowhere left to run. But suddenly, as if by magic, a girl called Zan rises from the rubbish in the dump and leaps to Katie's defence. But Zan is not willing to talk to Katie - all she wishes to do is keep her identity a secret. Slowly Katie learns the truth about Zan, and when she does, she realises Zan has much more to lose than the safety of her cardboard box. A gripping story that really brings the issue of bullying to a head.
This is Catherine MacPhail's first novel for children, which she wrote as a result of her own daughter being bullied at school.
My Story
'Run Zan Run' was the next book on my list. My hand vibrated as I ran it along the spines of the newly published books. It felt like pulling along the strings of a harp. Intrigued by its luminous orange cover, I slipped it out of its row and cautiously laid it on my lap. ''Run Zan Run' by Catherine McPhail' was carefully printed on the front. I turned over the crisp page and began to read...
'Run Zan Run' confronts a number of social issues including bullying and homlessness as seen from a young teenager's perspective. I really loved the character Katie Cassidy as she embarks on an epic journey going from a passive and rather timid girl to being a confident individual not only to help herself but to help others too. My passion for this book has been extraordinary and I would read it again and again. Catherine McPhail has really captured the characters well. My emotions were mixed throughout this amazing novel. I would like to raise the issue of why this book has changed my life. I find this book captures all situations including bullying and friendship. These are very realistic issues which together make a very exciting and life-like novel. This novel may appeal to uncomfortable readers who face situations like this in day to day life. However this book shows that with kindness, courage and strength these issues can be overcome. So to conclude in the words of Zan "If we stick together bullies can't harm us"!
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