Running on the Roof of the World is the debut middle grade novel from Jess Butterworth.
Tash lives in Tibet with her parents. From the opening chapter Butterworth highlights Tash’s life – full of rules dictated by an inflexible army. Soldiers to be scared of, soldiers to watch out for.
“I want to run and scream and kick at them. But I stay silent, clenching my fists.”
Tash’s dad is involved in an underground movement, a movement fighting for freedom… so when the soldiers come banging on the door, Tash must run. Faraway. For Tash there is only one person who can help, the person whose very name is banned in Tibet. The Dalai Lama.
Tash and her friend Sam embark on an adventure that whisks the reader through the harsh terrain of the Himalayas as they make their way to India and the Dalai Lama. This is an adventure that’ll have you falling in love with Yaks. An adventure that you’ll often be reading with your heart in your mouth.
The chapters are short and punchy. The opening of each is decorated with a wonderful mandala styled illustration, it’s like gathering a collection of glorious rewards as you continue with Tash and Sam on their journey.
The cover from Rob Biddulph is just stunning. The rich colour combinations of reds, oranges and yellows reflecting the vividness of the narrative inside.
Running on the Roof of the World is an engrossing read, a wonderful page turner and brilliantly told.
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