"Runt" by Craig Silvey

THIS MULTI-AWARD-WINNING children’s book features 11-year-old Annie, whose best and only friend is a rescued stray dog named Runt.

Annie lives with her family on a draught-affected sheep farm. Money is tight and water is scarce, and many in their town have been forced to sell their properties and move away.

Worried the same fate will befall her family, Annie tries to enter Runt in a lucrative agility course championship in London. Trouble is, Runt only obeys her commands if nobody else is watching. Worse, a fellow competitor will do everything in his power to take the pair out of the race. Not to mention the family's lack of money for the trip, especially with the local land baron eyeing their farm.

The story is all about being true to yourself and respecting other people’s rights to walk their own paths. It is also about family and friendship, teamwork and mutual support – the Australian spirit of mateship and equality even in the most dire of circumstances.

The writing is full of what Silvey describes as “the twangs of language, the dry wit, the understatements, the vary particular rhythm of speech” that characterise our Australian English. The smart and entertaining wordplay is accompanied by delightful illustrations created by renowned artist Sara Acton.