Runaway Girl

Author: Casey Watson Publisher: Harper Element ISBN: 9780008142582

AUTHOR Watson works in the UK foster care system and specialises in housing vulnerable children who require urgent attention.

This book is about one of those children, 14-year-old Adrianna.

The pretty Polish girl is picked up by social services and arrives at Watson’s doorstep with only the clothes on her back, no passport, and a poor command of English. She is also malnourished and suffers from poor health.

While Adrianna refuses to reveal much about herself, Watson guesses that the girl is hiding something.

When Adrianna finally opens up to Watson, she reveals a shocking tale of abuse, homelessness, human trafficking, and forced prostitution.

The story is told well, and Watson relates it in an orderly manner, keeping track of Adrianna’s experiences.

Watson not only details the girl’s unfortunate fate and the difficulties she has had in England, but also makes a compelling argument for how Adrianna and other children like her deserve protection by the British authorities.

Readers will be moved, and will be left wondering how many other children around the world happen to be abused and trafficked like Adrianna, and what can be done to help them. – Anastasia Aida