Library News

Animal stories can be a good way to help students come to terms with challenging situations in life. Teens can explore important issues and develop empathy through reading animal stories. “Runt” by the Australian author Graig Silvey is the story of Annie Shearer, an eleven year-old-girl who lives in a small country town where she befriends a stray dog named Runt. Her family is struggling because their sheep farm is affected by drought and a greedy landowner who is trying to take over their land. To help her family Annie decides to enter Runt in a dog agility competition in London that offers a big cash prize. Runt is incredibly fast and good at herding sheep however he will only perform when no-one is watching which makes being in the competition very difficult. The story of “Runt” teaches us that it is fine to be different and that we can achieve great things when we work together. It’s a story about kindness, friendship and the importance of being yourself.

Jennifer Bleakley

Library Manager