Sal by Mick Kitson

Sal and her younger sister, Peppa are on the run because staying in the same house with their alcoholic mother's abusive boyfriend was bad enough but when he set his sights on Peppa she knew they had to go. This is the story of a brave young girl who takes matters into her own hands to protect herself and her sister from abuse. She studied survival and had spent months thinking this plan through gathering all that they would need to live off the land in very rural Scotland. It is a story of a damaged childhood with little hope except for the one chance they have to leave it behind and survive. I have to admit this story was so upsetting that I almost didn't finish it but then I was very glad I did. There are good people in the world. People who will find you and take care of you like Ingrid found and helped Sal and Peppa. Peppa's incredible good nature and the strength of Sal's character carry you along like the beautiful descriptions of this wild and beautiful landscape.