Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
This is the second story about Runt, the street dog befriended by eleven-year-old Annie Shearer. In the previous story the reader learns how these two bonded and went on to become famous thereby rejuvenating the small out-of-the-way town of Upson Downs.
For readers who have not read the first story, the author, Craig Silvey, has provided a brief outline of the previous story in the Prologue. Riding on the renewed interest in the town, Mayor Barry Casserole announces that he has planned a Tournament of Champions, and as heroes at the earlier Krumpets Dog Show, Annie and Runt will be expected to once again to shine.
However, with very little time to the big day, Runt goes missing. A thorough search reveals a note being found on the town noticeboard addressed to Annie. Someone has her dog, and she is to await further instructions. Later another note appears, calling on Annie to prove how good she is as a trainer, by a win in the upcoming tournament if she wants to get her dog back. How is she to save Runt if he is the only dog she has worked with?
The central story in this book is about trying to find Runt, but Annie has a big problem. How can she do this without Runt? Annie is a very private person and is driven by fixing things. To go out into public and perform with no purpose to fix something is not something she can do. Her desire to save her friend helps her find a solution to overcome her fears and come up with a performance to do so.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this story some of the aspects of the author’s writing style I thought was a bit over the top. While many of the characters from the earlier story are still present, some new ones have been added to this story. Craig Silvey obviously loves playing with words. Throughout this book there is much use of alliteration- ‘frenzied, frantic, formidable, furious, flood. And that’s just the F’s’(201). Other letters in the alphabet also get the same treatment.
The names of the characters in this story also fall into Silvey’s writing style. Characters such as the Shearer family who run a sheep farm, and other citizens of the town who run businesses like Doug Hole the local handyman and Mervyn Froth, the proprietor of the pub, all find a place in this story. Other names include Heart Sparks, Humble Pie and Slam Duncan. And who would want to go to a hair salon called, Curl Up and Dye. Though these names are all witty, I wonder whether young readers would fully understand the hidden meanings in their use. There are names like the Kangaroo Court reporter for the Convict Times or, the newcomers to town, Verity and her father, Rupert Broadsheet, editor-in-chief of the Upson Downs Spectator, who revelled in the drama which had descended on this town.
Throughout this story are cameo pieces for characters linked to the investigation. So, there are several stories within the one. Imbedded in Silvey’s story are gems for readers of all ages, especially the young independent reader. Throughout this story Annie and her friend, Runt, have taught the people of Upson Downs how to be better people. Annie has learned to overcome her fears by finding her truth. Other characters do this also. There is an emphasis on telling the truth and how real courage is facing the truth and doing the right thing. Another theme is that of trust which the author describes as a house of cards which can topple in an instant but takes time and dedication to rebuild.
Craig Silvey is an Australian novelist who has twice been named one of the Best Young Australian Novelists by The Sydney Morning Herald. A film, Runt, based on Silvey’s novel of the same name, was released in September 2024. Most of his other novels have been adult novels with darker themes, although some have been written from the perspectives of young kids. Craig has been published for 20 years now.
The story presented with a hard cover and jacket, has much to offer. It is interesting and very amusing.
Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping
(2025)
by Craig Silvey
Illustrated by Sara Acton
Allen & Unwin
ISBN:978-1-76118-159-7
$26.99; 419pp