Running With Ivan

Thirteen-year-old Leo lost his mum to cancer two years ago. Now he is about to become part of a blended family, as he and his dad are moving in with Julia and her two boys. Two boys who happen to be the worst bullies at his school! Leo has to store his belongings in the garage and share a room with one of Julia’s sons, Cooper. When he finds a forgotten room at the back of the garage, he secretly claims it as his own. It becomes his refuge where he opens boxes of items that remind him of a better time. In one he finds an old clockwork music box. On turning the key something very strange happens: Leo finds himself transported to 1930s Prague. Here he meets Ivan, a Czech boy of a similar age.

Leo makes numerous visits to the past via the music box. Initially they are only short, but soon he is staying longer and longer. Though only days or weeks have passed in Leo’s time, he spends years in historic Prague. The boys eventually get caught up in the brutality of the Second World War and the horrors of the Nazi regime. Ivan, being Jewish, experiences the worst of it, but Leo witnesses the atrocities and ends up living them too.

In the present (2002) Leo takes up running to get out of the house. He joins an informal running club coached by an old man who was a renowned runner in his day. Their starter is a schoolgirl champion who encourages Leo.

Meanwhile, things at home are starting to settle. After the brothers had a disastrous visit with their dad, Leo begins to appreciate why they act like they do. Cooper idolised his soldier father, but the boys are beginning to understand that he’s really a deadbeat.

This is a wonderfully written timeslip novel. The book explores heavy, intense themes, but with moments of joy and revelation throughout. The slow build up to war and the plight of the Jewish peoeple is handled knowledgeably. As is the later “Jewish solution”, with great insight into its workings and propaganda. Though Leo’s home life isn’t perfect he knows he’s far better off than Ivan and he has an inkling why. He’s still grieving his mum and he knows the brothers had a hard upbringing with their dad. A powerful read with a nice little twist.

timeslip, 1930s, 1940s, adventure, Europe, World War 2, Jewish question and final solution, blended family, death, abusive parent, bullying, running

 1. The book deals with antisemitism and fascism in context of the Nazi regime.