Kids into books: The Long Walk Home

Author: Pauline Cartwright

Illustrator: Paul Rogers

Publisher Puffin Books, $6.95

Age Group: 6-12 years


"We're going out to Alfredo's tonight, for dinner," his mother was saying, happily. Gary Hebbleton was smiling.

"Why are you celebrating selling our house?" Brad yelled.

Even he was surprised at how suddenly and loudly his voice came out, as if his thoughts had exploded outside of his head.

"It's our house! No one's got any right to live in it but us!"

Then, he raced out of the kitchen and down through the back garden to the big, old tree in the corner.

He climbed high into its branches and pretended not to hear when his mother came out, calling his name. She soon went back inside.