Ben's Book Club featuring 'Runt' by Craig Silvey 2022

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Craig Silvey is an author and screenwriter from Fremantle, WA. His critically acclaimed debut novel, 'Rhubarb', was published in 2004. His bestselling second novel, 'Jasper Jones', was released in 2009 and is considered a modern Australian classic. Published in over a dozen territories, 'Jasper Jones' has won plaudits in three continents. Craig's third novel 'Honeybee' was published in 2020 also to critical acclaim.

During this digital book club, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, interact with the authors, and enjoy a well-rounded bookish discussion.

Ben's Book Club is a free monthly digital book club hosted by author Ben Hobson - brought to you by OverDrive. We welcome guests to join us the fourth Tuesday of each month to engage and interact with authors. The Zoom link will be emailed to all attendees on the day of the event.

This month's featured title, 'Runt', should be available to borrow from your local library with no waitlists or holds! If not, you can request your library buys this title. Download Libby and find your local library to start reading: meet.libbyapp.com

About the title

Annie Shearer likes to fix things. She lives in the country town of Upson Downs with her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt. The two share a very special bond.

After years evading capture, Runt is remarkably fast and agile, perfect for herding runaway sheep. But when greedy local landowner Earl Robert-Barren puts her family's home at risk, Annie directs Runt's extraordinary talents towards a different pursuit - winning the Agility Course Grand Championship at the lucrative Krumpets Dog Show in London.

However, 2 things stand in her way.

There is Fergus Fink, a vain and villainous dog handler determined to prevent Annie from upstaging him.

And a curious predicament: Runt will only obey Annie's commands if nobody else is watching.

Though she's used to fixing problems on her own, Annie enlists the help of her quirky family. There's Susie, her vibrantly fashionable mother, who is the worst baker in the nation. Her father, Bryan, who inherited the family farm and has a hidden passion for flower cultivation. Her teenage brother Max, an aspiring daredevil. And her grandmother Dolly, a one time champion sportswoman who, years after the death of her husband Wally, is now looking for love. Each make sacrifices and employ their own unique skills to get Annie and Runt to London.

With all eyes on them, Annie and Runt must beat the odds and the fastest dogs in the world to save her farm.

Runt is a heartwarming and hilarious tale of kindness, friendship, hurdles, hoops, tunnels, see-saws, and, above all, being yourself and bringing out the best in others.

Ben's Book Club is brought to you by OverDrive and your local library. Libby is compatible on all devices with iOS 10+ and Android 5.0+ and KOBO. If you have a Windows computer, Mac computer, or a Chromebook, you can use Libby in your web browser at libbyapp.com.