Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping

Runt #2

by Craig Silvey, Sara Acton

The sequel to Runt, the phenomenal bestseller and family favourite, by award-winning author Craig Silvey.

Six weeks have passed since Annie Shearer and Runt competed valiantly at the Krumpets Dog Show.

The town of Upson Downs is rejuvenated. The grass is green. The rivers are flowing. And a Tournament of Champions has just been announced, with the world's best canine talent invited to showcase their skills in the Grand Ballroom of the abandoned Robert-Barren estate.

But as preparations for the event get underway, Runt mysteriously goes missing, and a trail of suspicious clues surround his doghouse. Annie's worst fears are confirmed when she discovers a ransom note with a peculiar she must win it all to see her friend again.

It's up to Annie and her brother Max – now an intrepid investigative reporter with the Upson Downs Speculator – to rescue Runt before it's too late.

Endlessly charming, deeply funny and bursting with heart, Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping is an engrossing mystery filled with twists and surprises. A beautiful, tender and moving sequel to the bestselling, multi-award-winning classic, Runt.

AWARDS FOR
Winner, Dymocks Book of the Year for Younger Readers, 2022
Winner, Best Children's Book, Indie Book Awards, 2023
Winner, Book of the Younger Readers, CBCA Awards, 2023
Winner, Book of the Year, Indie Book Awards, 2023
Winner, Children's Book of the Year, BookPeople Book of the Year Awards, 2023
Winner, Book of the Year for Younger Children, ABIAs, 2023
Winner, Best Fiction for Older Readers, Young Australians Best Book Awards, 2024
Shortlisted, Children's Literature Award, South Australian Literary Awards, 2024

Genres: Middle Grade

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Craig Silvey is an author and screenwriter from Fremantle, Western Australia.

His critically acclaimed debut novel, Rhubarb, was published in 2004. His bestselling second novel, Jasper Jones, was released in 2009 and is considered a modern Australian classic. Published in over a dozen territories, Jasper Jones has won plaudits in three continents, including an International Dublin Literary Award shortlisting, a Michael J. Printz Award Honor, and a Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlisting. Jasper Jones was the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year for 2010.

His third novel, Honeybee, published in 2020, was an award-winning bestseller. Honeybee was the 2020 Dymocks Book Of The Year, won the Indie Book Award for Best Fiction, and was shortlisted for both the Literary Fiction Book of the Year at the 2021 ABIA Awards and the Adult Fiction Book of the Year at the ABA Booksellers’ Choice Awards. In 2022 and 2023, Honeybee was voted Number 1 in the Better Reading Top 100.

Released in 2022, Runt was his first novel for Younger Readers. Dubbed an 'instant classic', Runt won a raft of awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award, the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year for Younger Children, the Indie Book Awards Book of the Year, Children's Book of the Year at the BookPeople Book of the Year Awards and the 2022 Dymocks Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

Its sequel, 'Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping', will be released September 30th, 2025.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey

Synopsis /

Six weeks have passed since Annie Shearer and Runt competed valiantly at the Krumpets Dog Show.

The town of Upson Downs is rejuvenated. The grass is green. The rivers are flowing. And a Tournament of Champions has just been announced, with the world's best canine talent invited to showcase their skills in the Grand Ballroom of the abandoned Robert-Barren estate.

But as preparations for the event get underway, Runt mysteriously goes missing, and a trail of suspicious clues surround his doghouse. Annie's worst fears are confirmed when she discovers a ransom note with a peculiar she must win it all to see her friend again.

It's up to Annie and her brother Max – now an intrepid investigative reporter with the Upson Downs Speculator – to rescue Runt before it's too late.


My Thoughts /

‘Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping might just be the most enjoyable, rewarding book I have ever written', said Craig Silvey, ‘I can promise that it will make you laugh and seize your heart, and it will be just as enriching and uplifting as you might expect from a trip to Upson Downs.'

Can confirm this to be the case - 💯%.

It was back in 2023, when author Craig Silvey, first introduced the reader to an agile, fast and cunning little stray dog called Runt. Although only small, Runt is spry, agile and athletic due to years of living on the streets. Runt can dart like a rabbit and climb like a monkey. The little dog is cunning, cheeky and clever. He is also fiercely loyal to his owner, Annie Shearer, and Annie Shearer is fiercely loyal to Runt.

In this instalment, Runt disappears and at the same time, a note appears on the Upson Downs Official town noticeboard which says Annie Shearer. I have your dog. Await my instructions.

Has someone taken Runt? It's a diabolical dognapping! Annie Shearer is lost, there is a huge Runt-shaped hole in her world. But there are clues. His doghouse is empty; there is a fish lying in the dirt; and a small, dirty rag nearby. Annie's brother Max is keen to investigate, even joining a newspaper office team in town. A new girl in town named Verity makes this all the more exciting, as she is the newspaper’s photographer. Between Max and Verity they discover more about Runt and his past before Upson Downs, but not who his kidnapper might be.

Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping has been aimed at a younger reading audience – ages 8-12. I grew up reading The Hardy Boys series and Nancy Drew books. This year’s generation of 8-12s will grow up reading wonderful titles like Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping, and that makes me very happy. You won’t have any trouble picking out adjectives to use to describe this book - heart-warming, affecting, heartening, rewarding, inspiring, elevating, uplifting, tender, moving, poignant, loving and the list just keeps going.

The writing is simple but effective and is sure to be a hit with both children and adults alike. Runt is full of whimsical, eccentric and larger than life characters with some added oddities and idiosyncrasies of rural Australia. Silvey has written his characters with a very Australian outback spirit. As tough as they come but with hearts as big as a bull elephant. Hope is the definite overarching feeling that brings this story to life.

This is an easy 5 stars from me. 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as sweet, poignant and hopeful as you know it will be. I can’t articulate my feelings beyond this reads like a childhood favourite and I’m 46! All the ‘vocabulary expansion’ all the sweetest advice ‘…you’ve got to put your insides on the outside’ this is another classic, so glad I had the good sense to read it! Loved being with Annie and the ‘Runt shaped hole in her world’ out at the end of September, I got to read an arc thanks to Allen and Unwin 💙

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long awaited sequel is here.
Runt, his best friend Annie, the Shearer family along with the town folk have captured the hearts of Australians all over the country.
Return to Upson Downs and enjoy Annie and Runt’s next adventure.
It’s been six weeks since the events of the first book.
Now a new competition has been announced.
The Tournament Of Champions.
The Upson Downs community is in celebration mode and all the best dogs are attending the gala in the abandoned estate of Earl Robert-Barren.
Then Runt goes missing and a note is left behind.
Annie and her brother Max begin an investigation.
Now they need to find Runt before it’s too late.
The first Runt bestseller has won many awards and even a successful movie was released with an all star Aussie cast.
Continuing the story that’s charming, inspiring, delightful, funny, entertaining, exciting and truly magnetic, it’s another instant classic.
A wonderful writer leaves a heartwarming message to all his readers within the pages of a wonderful book.
Shout out to Sara Acton for her eye catching drawings throughout.
A book for the whole family.

[Bel Beggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical, wonderful, witty, warm-hearted....and that's just the 'Ws'!!!! I loved being back in the town of Upson Downs. Loved Annie's determination to succeed, loved her parents supporting her through her self doubt. LOVED the beautiful heart that Runt the dog has. Loved the side stories. Thank you Craig Silvey for producing a sequel that I lapped up with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart ❤️

[Lee-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another master piece from Craig Silvey. The second novel in the Runt series, we are reunited with the Shearer family and the town of Upson Down. There’s an introduction of some new characters as well. Whilst Runt doesn’t feature heavily in the story (he has been dognapped), readers will find this a charming and well written book, with an explosion of vocabulary which will help young people with adjectives and figurative language. Highly recommend as a class read by a teacher. Definitely read the first book as this story follows on, 6 weeks from where Book 1 ends.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant sequel and I’m sure my class will love reading it once we finish the first book!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good !! Was so lovely to spend time in Upsan Downs, I’m going to go straight back in for a second read

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upson Downs is a much happier place now that the rains have been, leaving the farms lush and busy again. The town villain was washed away in the resulting flood, and his property is to be the venue for another worldwide dog competition – The Tournament of Champions.

Annie Shearer isn’t sure about being in that much spotlight with her canine star, Runt again, but soon has a bigger worry. Runt has vanished! One morning they find his doghouse empty, a fish lying in the dirt, and a small, dirty rag nearby.

The world is shocked at his disappearance, but no more than the Shearer family, especially his best friend, Annie.

Her brother Max is keen to investigate, even joining a newspaper office team in town. A new girl in town named Verity makes this all the more exciting, as she is the newspaper’s photographer. Max is quite taken with the quiet shy daughter of the new newspaper owner.

Between Max and Verity they discover more about Runt and his past before Upson Downs, but not who his kidnapper might be.

As the Tournament of Champions approaches, the blame game for Runt’s whereabouts is flying around town, with neighbour against neighbour. Annie isn’t listening to them however. All she wants is Runt, and she knows she must compete in the Tournament to get him back. But how can she if she doesn’t have her furry friend and star?

Max’s research and two unlikely heroes come to Annie’s rescue, and bring the truth about her beloved dog. Along with his past, his disappearance, and his now.


Just like the 1st blockbuster book and movie, Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping is simply wonderful!

With a cleverly constructed plot, hilarious, corny characters, and more mysteries than you can shake a bone at, this sequel left me with warm fuzzies from top to toe.

There are stories within the story which are wonderful themselves, which are then effortlessly woven into the heart wrenching finale.

I think I love this sequel even more than the first, but I know that without the phenomenon of Runt (1), I wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. A circle I’m quite happy to go round and round in, until I read it all over again.

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig Silvey has done it again. This is another story filled with love, hope, family, despair, worry, intrepidness, inventiveness, determination, bravery, redemption, second chances, and above all sometimes wearing your insides on your outsides.

When Runt is seemingly kidnapped it is young Annie Shearer who again needs to be the one to save the day, with the ransom note saying she will only see Runt again if she wins an event at the Tournament of Champions dog show. But without Runt does Annie even have a chance?

Annie comes up with a solution and surprisingly enlists Fergus Fink, her nemesis from the Krumpets dog show, to help her. With the unwavering support of her parents Barry and Susie, the investigative powers of her brother Max and a has been dancer called Cha Cha Galore, Annie might just win the day and Runt's freedom.

But of course things never run as smoothly as they should and there are some tense moments. Learning about Runt's backstory and what really happened to Runt, well of course there were tears shed. Both happy and sad tears.

I was chuckling out loud at the turns of phrase and the extremely imaginative character names in this story. With Mervyn Froth the local publican, Doug Hole the local handyman and Don Grubb the butcher to name a few, there is such a sense of whimsy that I just adored. I must admit that I did miss Grandma Dolly's presence in this book.

This is a fitting follow up to Runt and fingers crossed this gets made into a movie as well. Oh and I am all in for Annie and Runt's next adventure!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Runt, so I had to pick this one up. It wasn’t a book I thought needed a sequel, but I wasn’t going to miss it.
Upson Downs is going to host the next big dog show, but Annie isn’t sure she wants to enter. They’ve achieved what they set out for, and she’s happy to stay the invisible girl with the dog. Her choice is taken away though when Runt is dognapped, and the note says he’ll be returned when she wins the dog show.
Yes, this is contradictory, because how can she win without a dog? But Annie is a fixer.
I didn’t like this as much as the first book, It still has the same humour and whimsy of the first book, but as Runt is absent for most of it, it just didn’t have the same heart and overwhelming love and acceptance the first had. It’s sweet but I just didn’t want to marinate in it afterwards with my heart set to bursting. It is hard to top that first book.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey is such a beautiful and fun read! 🐶✨ And the illustrations inside were just lovely!

This sequel picks up six weeks after the Krumpets Dog Show, with Annie and Runt once again at the heart of the story. But when Runt mysteriously goes missing and a ransom note appears, Annie and her brother Max must unravel the mystery and fight to bring him home.

It’s charming, heartfelt, and full of humour, with a mystery that keeps you hooked until the very end. I loved how this book balances lighthearted fun with real warmth and heart! Craig Silvey captures friendship, family, and courage in such a wonderful way!

If you loved Runt, you’ll adore this sequel. It’s clever, tender, and just as moving as the first book! 💙

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig did it again, and made me shed a tear reading this.
Annie is back with Runt. But Runt goes missing and the hunt is on to find the dognapper.
We learn about who Runt belonged to before he met Annie, and we learn the story of Bonzer Bill and Earl who becomes a pivotal part of the story.
There is another dog show competition - this time in their actual town. So helps promote the town.
And even Max the dare devil finds some emotions when Verity arrives in town.
There are liars and characters wanting the attention.
But in the end Runt was just following his instinct to help people. Showing loyalty

[Clayton Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a teacher and a huge fan of the first one, I had high hopes. The first third felt like Craig Silvey had been forced to write a sequel. It seemed too ridiculous that a world level dog show would be coming to Upton Downs and why is Runt absent from two thirds of the book? Was there heart? Yes. Do you still love Annie and her family? Yes. It just didn’t have the same underlying drive that the original premise had which was to save her family’s farm.

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 5 out of 5]

No surprises here. I loved this. The action-packed sequel to the beloved 'Runt' follows Annie Shearer and her beloved dog, Runt after he was duh,duh,duh...dognapped!! Classic "whodunnit" that read more like a true crime than a junior fiction. Good, wholesome, fun for all ages 9-99!

Read by Belinda & Sage

[CeCe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a triumphant follow-up to the fabulous ‘Runt’. The characters and setting that Craig Silvey has created are fantastic and there is so much humour, word play and heart in this story. I loved the ending. I couldn’t wait to read this and it didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to share this book with my students.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 was filled with emotion, heart and true friendship. This incredible dog 🐕 is called Runt. A hero, a companion, a friend. He is truly remarkable. I really hope this story is adapted into a sequel film. I recommend this story created by Craig Silvey. Craig has written a great story of friendship, family and community of a true blue Aussie story. l enjoyed it.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love. So sweet, so well written. Cemented my fan club membership for Craig Silvey.

[SophieRose Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you want it to be and more! Uplifting. Funny. Witty. Family focused. Motivational.