This is the cutest book I've ever read. I could read one thousand pages of Maisie and Calum bickering and I wouldn't get tired of it.
The Art of Running Away is a MG book that follows Maisie, a 12-year-old that is sent to her aunt Lisa's house in another country because her parents want her to "broaden her horizons" since Maisie's whole world seems to be revolved around her best friend, Alycia, and her family's art shop "Glenna's Portraits". And when Glenna's is at risk of closing the doors, alll Maisie wishes is to be back home, doing something to prevent this from happening. Until a chance appears when her older brother, Calum — who ran away from home when she was six — appears at Lisa's doorstep asking Maisie to consider spending her summer with him in London. She, then, plans a way of saving the shop and (maybe) discover the reason why Calum left years ago.
I have no words to explain how this book enchanted me, but I'll try to.
I read only 10% of the book in two days and I really thought I wouldn't really like it, but then today I was decided to read at least 50%. So I started reading it and I just couldn't stop. The chapters' names? Iconic. Maisie's narration? Amazing, all her emotions were so well described and in some moments she was soooo funny. Calum and his roommates? Best people in the whole world. Lisa and Alycia? Sweethearts! The queer rep? *chef's kiss.* The only characters I had some problems with were Maisie's parents but nothing that actually made any changes in how I viewed the book.
The characters:
Maisie- I love her character's development, once in a while she was a bit annoying but which 12-year-old is NOT annoying? Specially in a whole other country? I love Maisie and I'll protect this girl with my whole life.
Calum- I think he might be my newest comfort character. Serious. HE WORKS SO FUCKING HARD?????? And he's so chaotic. I love that about him. If you look at him, you can't even imagine how a mess this man is. But he's such an amazing and loving character. (Also he loves his sister so much, I can't even-)
Benji- BEST BOY EVER???? Everytime Benji appeared, I knew I was up for a good time. He's so sweet and definitely the best influence Maisie could ever ask for.
Rose- Can I date her??? Really. She's so nice and she takes care of the people she loves so well and I could spend a whole day talking about how amazing this woman is.
That was the best book I've read in a good time. I laughed so hard and cried like a baby. (Not gonna lie, I also have like a thousand headcanons of the characters' futures.) Looking forward for reading anything new from the author in the future.
Thank you Netgalley and Jolly Fish Press for This ARC in exchange for an honest review.
5.0/5.0 ⭐+❤

***Special thanks to NetGalley and JollyFish Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review***

5/5

I absolutely LOVED this book. As someone who feels like they are starting to read more adult contemporary, I was not sure if I would enjoy this middle-grade novel, but I was completely BLOWN AWAY. The characters were so compelling and read like their age. The characters were able to make mistakes and grow from them, in addition, this book highlighted the importance of communication.

I was very impressed by how this book not only portrayed a strained family relationship but also shows a different type/more subtle sort of homophobia in addition to showing how characters can change.

While all of these aforementioned aspects led me to love this book, I loved that this book did not end with a *yay we solved all our family issues and are happy* sort of ending. There is a sense of growth, but also maturity that comes from the fact that not all of the family's issues are solved, rather they have been brought to light.

I would recommend this book to everyone.... literally though please read it!

Such a compelling story! "The Art of Running Away" is about finding yourself and your family. It was absolutely beautiful, colorful, and delightful. Maisie is a terrific voice for middle grade. Her travels reminded me of myself when I traveled to London around that same age and I personally adored that connection. The chapter titles were hilarious and on point, while the characters were enjoyable and touching. I loved reading the growth between Maisie and her older brother. For anyone looking for a family-oriented middle grade story with heart and art, this is the one for you!

Fave lines: "The world drips like wet paint, heavy and blurring at the edges. Everything I thought I knew about my family is peeling away, and I can't see what's left behind."

If you only read the chapter titles of Sabrina Kleckner's THE ART OF RUNNING AWAY, that would be enough to make you laugh and know what an amazing book this is. But then you'd miss the smart, brave, and funny Maisie. You'd miss so many funny and poignant and emotional moments. THE ART OF RUNNING AWAY is a wonder--full of family love and complications, sibling connections and disconnections, and BFFs being BFFs, with all its ups and downs. I loved this book. Like Maisie, it's so funny, smart, and full of love.

Oh wow, just wow, words aren't enough to describe this book!!!
This was such a beautiful book, it was heart wrenching the way Masie bonds with her long lost brother and how she made an emotionless person cry.
The emotion and the humor were in perfect proportion, the parrot incident was quite funny xD.
This book throws light on LGBTQIA community and the problems they face and is a perfect read in pride month! Glad that Glenna's was saved!! I really hope this book has a sequel and congratulations to the author for writing such a touching book!! This book is now one of my favorites!!

My rating 5 out 5 (really wanna give it more)

I absolutely loved this story. The voice and the humor, the heart and the art... all of it was so well-done. With lots of humor—check out the Shrek references, wink wink—and attitude, this story did an amazingly deft job of exploring themes of family and identity. I particularly enjoyed the relationship and banter, the tears and smiles, between Maisie and her brother Calum. The characters were rich and distinct and seeing Edinburgh and London through 12-year-old artist Maisie's eyes was a delight.

I can't wait to someday hold the physical copy in my hands!

It is a well-written book that touches on many topics like family friendship and trust. The born between Maisie and Calum is beautifully described.

The Art of Running Away is a quick, fun read. The plot was a little contrived but Maisie was a great character and her development was realistic.

A colourful story of art, family, and identity, The Art of Running Away by Sabrina Kleckner follows twelve-year-old Maisie all the way to the United Kingdom, where she sets out to make amends with her estranged brother and discover her own creative style.

So many miles away from her family's art shop, Glenna's Portraits, Maisie is supposed to be "broadening her horizons" and looking for hobbies that go beyond paint and pencils. But instead, Maisie has a mission. With Glenna's Portraits deep in financial trouble, it's up to her to find the funding to save it, a feat she hopes to accomplish with the help of her brother Calum, who ran away from home when Maisie was just six years old.

As Maisie begins to patch things up with Calum, she learns that art and family aren't always so simple. Uncovering betrayals and conflicts, Maisie starts to question her family and the future of Glenna's. As Maisie navigates life in a new city and the imperfections of her family dynamic, she has plenty of room for character development, growing to learn important lessons about forgiveness, identity, and creativity.

The Art of Running Away tackles themes of culture, family, friendship, homophobia, and coming of age. If you enjoyed Amy Bearce's Rome Reframed and Danette Vigilante's Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil, you might like The Art of Running Away!

Thank you to Jollyfish Press and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC.

This was a really sweet Middle Grade story about a young girl reconnecting with her older brother who ran away 6 years ago while also trying to save her family’s art shop. I enjoyed watching Maisie as she wrestled with her feelings towards her family as she learned more about her brother’s situation and the mistakes her parents made.

There were a lot of great conversations in the story about what it means to be an ally and who is able to accept an apology for something. While there is a lot of more serious, emotional content there are also some really funny scenes as well. I thought the story ended in a nice place. Without giving any spoilers, it’s a positive ending but everything isn’t automatically perfect.

I think this is a story that has appeal across age categories. I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you enjoy stories about family, LGBTQ+ characters, and art.

☆ 4/5 ☆

Honestly, this was such a sweet short read. I usually wouldn't request a middle grade ARC but who can pass off on a quick queer novel?

This novel follows a 12 yr old named Maisie. Her life revolves around her best friend, Alicia. Maisie's parents end up sending her to another country with her aunt Lisa. She ends up running away with her brother, Calum, who ran away years ago. Maisie has to find a way to save her family's art shop, Glenna's Portraits.

The sibling bond between Maisie and Calum is explored a lot and I really enjoyed it! The familial bonds in general actually. I absolutely loved the way art was talked about here. The humor was funnier then I thought it would be. There are many topics that we talk about in this novel and they're all done so well. The talk about allyship was incredibly written.

This book is definitely worth it and I would recommend it to all ages, despite it's middle grade label.

Thank you to Netgalley and Flux for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of Running Away is so delightful, hilarious, and smart.
I enjoyed the topics discussed in regards to layers of yourself and being an ally.

The Art of Running Away follows 12yo Maisie as she navigates being in a new country while trying to bond with the brother she hasn't seen in six years and save her family's art shop. Calum is just the cutest. I enjoyed the banter between him and Maisie and their dynamic as siblings with mostly opposing personalities. I loved all the little gestures he did for her and I just want to give him a giant hug. His roommates and Aunt Lisa were awesome too.

Sabrina's writing is refreshing, creative, and witty. I laughed so many times in this book, including the 'Shrek' lie scene. I recommend this to everyone. I'm so glad I got to read it early, and during Pride Month no less.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of The Art of Running Away in exchange for an honest review.

I'm currently crying over a middle grade book so, that's where I'm at right now in life I guess. This was so, so, well done. The Art of Running Away is part "comedic story about a 12 year old girl suddenly living with her older brother and his two zany roommates" and part "heart-wrenchingly intelligent, nuanced discussion about allyship" and it balances the two expertly.

I've seen a lot of people talking about how they wish Maisie's parents played a bigger role here, but I'm honestly glad they were fairly distant from a lot of the plot. This is entirely the story of Maisie and Calum and how their parents and their actions effected them, it's not a think piece that needs to delve into the psychology behind why those crappy actions occurred because it's about results, not intent.

I think this book is honestly good for allies and queerfolk alike of all ages despite its middle grade status (I was definitely laughing along to a lot of the humour here and feel like it caters to a lot of demographics) and I'm super jealous this didn't exist when I was Maisie's age.

As Maisie’s parents deal with the possibility of their art shop closing, Maisie is sent to Edinburgh to stay with Aunt Lisa for the summer. Maisie’s brother, Calum, ran away when she was younger and is in England. Maisie and Calum connect, and Maisie runs away to England to try and reconnect with her brother. She also wants to know what made Calum leave home. As the two grow closer, Maisie makes friends with Calum’s roommates and learns more about art and also a few secrets. Maisie has ideas that can save her family’s art shop. Can her ideas help? She finds one can find themselves in their art and that people have many layers and art can capture that.

5/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Jolly Fish Press for providing this e-arc!

Who knew i'd cry over a Middle Grade book in the middle of the night? I thank the author for this very important book. Our protagonist is extremely flawed but thankfully at the end, gains self awareness. To be fair she's 12 so I can sympathize with her actions. Some details felt off. Like....why send a child abroad alone without preparing them? Would they even know what happens inside an airport? The secondary characters were swell as well! Some things feel unbelievable but then again, i'm a teenager judging the capabilities of a tween as if i'm any better. What a way to celebrate Pride Month!

I felt a little old for this book. it is more for middle schoolers but I still enjoyed it. the writing style was nice. the main character was easy to connect to. my middle schooler sister read this also and she loved it. I would recommend for anyone in middle school or if you enjoy these types of stories.

CW- homophobia, bullying, stalking
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The Art of Running Away follows a young girl who reconnects with her older brother in an effort to save her family portrait business.
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This book was everything right with middle grade. I don’t normally pick up middle grade, but the synopsis for this one was just so interesting. I absolutely loved this book though! The humor had me laughing out loud multiple times, and the characters were all so well developed.
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I also thought the inclusion of heavier topics was done well. Each issue was presented with multiple sides and perspectives, and overall I thought there was some great discussion.
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Familial relationships was another aspect I thought was handled well. Maisie’s perspective was so raw and real, especially when it came to the humanization of her parents.
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Overall, I would recommend this to people looking for a humorous read.
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The story talks about a twelve year old Maisie whose life revolves around art and her best friend, Alicia.

Her parents are worried if she wouldn't get much other life skills if she carries on with just art and so she gets sent away to another country where her aunt Lisa lives.

I love her comforting the writing is. I got to experience Scotland! It's so beautiful. It's like art. That's how beautiful the writing is. And how humorous it gets at times.

The plot explores culture, art, relationship between parents and teens, coming of age, the bond between siblings and friendship.

Maisie has to do something to save the Glenna's Portraits, their family-run art shop, when it's sponsor gets cut off. She hatches a plan with her brother who ran away six years ago and somehow it reconnects their relationship.

I like Rose as much.

However, I did hope for a better role from the adult characters.

Such an emotional ride. It's definitely worth the read.

Discover some big secrets about the characters that's coming up. You will get a good answer what would happen to the art shop. Pick up this book for all the feels and family vibes. The cover is so pretty! The contents live up to it.

Thank you, author and North Star Editions, for the advance reading copy.