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The Not-So Great Escape

By: Emma Green

Age 9+

RRP £7.99

Coming January 2026

Buy from:

Amazon

A hilarious and heartbreaking road trip adventure about friendship, grief and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Hedley has always played it safe, especially since the night that changed his life for ever. But when his friend Aiden steals an alpaca, Hedley is dragged on a runaway road trip that he did NOT sign up for:

An accidental robbery.

A night in a haunted wood.

And becoming internet famous #AlpacaBandit.

As the chaos builds, Hedley finds he isn't just running from the police, he's also running from the truth. And as his world comes crashing down, will Hedley play it safe, or take his biggest risk yet?

#WoollyHeist #FurryFelon #Alpacalypse

This book will make you laugh and cry - perfect for fans of Ross Welford, Jenny Pearson, Adam Baron and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

"Fast-paced, brilliantly funny and full of heart - a story about loss, friendship and finding the courage to take risks again. This is one of those rare, special books that makes you laugh out loud and think deeply all at once. I loved it." Jenny Pearson

"The Not-So Great Escape is everything I love about middle-grade, plus alpaca mischief! Funny and genuinely moving, this is a standout debut." Carlie Sorosiak

"The Not-So Great Escape is a story where a mountain of disastrous decisions result in a ridiculous journey filled with tears, loss, laughter and alpacas! Loved it!" Em Lynas

Details

Extent:: 240 pages
Dimensions:: 198 x 130mm
Paperback ISBN:: 9781836045663
Publication Date:: January 2026
Work Reference:: 10337

Author

Emma Green grew up in Dorset before West Country accents were cool. After many years working for the police, she decided to swap her badge for a pen and start writing. The Not-So Great Escape is Emma's first children's book, and she drew inspiration for the story from her very unusual pets. As the proud owner of three alpacas, she knows all about their fierce loyalty and loveable stubbornness...and how to dodge their spit attacks with style.

Follow Emma on Instagram and TikTok @emgwritesagain

Find out more about Emma Green

Press

A moving adventure with moments of high drama but also pathos.

The Bookseller

The Not-So Great Escape is a story where a mountain of disastrous decisions result in a ridiculous journey filled with tears, loss, laughter and alpacas! Loved it!

Fast-paced, brilliantly funny and full of heart - a story about loss, friendship and finding the courage to take risks again. This is one of those rare, special books that makes you laugh out loud and think deeply all at once. I loved it.

A must-have addition to any school library, blending humour with emotional depth as it explores friendship, grief and finding courage. The chaotic adventure has plenty to hook reluctant readers - who can resist a stolen alpaca?! - while the exploration of loss and emotional honesty offers opportunities for wider discussions.

The School Library Association

Here, in her first book for children, author Emma Green explores both the motivation to run away and its aftermath in a middle grade story that is at times very funny but at others is incredibly sad. Examining grief, bullying and poor parental mental health, this is a book that fans of Jenny Pearson's Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates and Simon James Green's Finn Jones Was Here will love and one that would make a great class read in upper KS2.

Mrs Sydney's Famous World's Smallest Library blog

Teachers’ resources

Engage with these classroom activities about Emma Green's The Not-So Great Escape, including extract analysis, designing hats and being an alpaca detective!

Download Teachers’ Notes