12 year old Masie is sent to live in Scotland for the summer as her parents struggle to save the family's portrait business, Glenna's Portraits. Maisie is angry that she is missing summer with her best friend and unable to work in the shop. Her parents even expect her to take a break from art - her favorite thing in world. Once in Britain, she reconnects with her estranged adult brother,Calum, and learns about family secrets. Maisie must decide if she can forgive her parents and save the family business.

I wanted to like this book. It has an unique storyline and I thought the interaction between the estranged siblings shows are hard family relationships can be. But as a mother of 2 young adults and 1 teenager I thought the parents were appalling. I just couldn't get around how controlling and manipulative these parents are- I just grimaced every time a read an interaction with the mother and one of the kids -- ugh! ( )

Maisie is passionate about art. She spends hours in Glenna’s , the familial art shop. But one evening, her world collapses, as her parents tell her she will spend the summer in Scotland, with an aunt she never met before. Little does she know that this foreign adventure will allow her to reunite with her brother, who ran away from home when she was six.

I loved the relationship between twelve-year-old Maisie and her big brother Calum. It is absolutely sweet, and feels at the same time so reel. I was deeply touched by how they learn to know each other after many years of silence. I was impressed by how the author subtly included the LGBT topic : with simple words she goes through what it means to be an ally, and how feeling different can sometimes hurt. The Art of Running Away is a book meant to be shared, and talked about, especially between adult and younger readers. It is a discussion opener, not only about LGBT topics, but also about what makes you, YOU. Young Maisie is passionate about art, but has a hard time finding what her path is. She grows a lot during the novel, both emotionally and mentally.

I loved the Art of Running away so much ! This middle grade novel will speak to the art of many readers. It is Sabrina Kleckner's first novel, and what a debut novel ! This book has everything, from being extremely well written, having wonderful characters, to discussing difficult topics. I will certainly look into Sabrina’s future books ! ( )