Bandit is a puppy who thinks that the happy days with his friend, 12-year-old Isla, will never end. But they do. Isla and her family move far away and he’s left with a strange old lady and her strict rules.
Forming an escape committee with some animal friends, he makes a daring plan to find Isla. But more perils await. Can Bandit use his wits to fight for survival and will the best friends ever be together again?
Told from the perspective of lovable puppy Bandit, this heart-warming story is about a dog and his girl who’d do anything to be together again.
BANDIT’S GREAT ESCAPE is perfect for animal lovers🐕who enjoy exciting adventures with fun characters.🐶This book captivates the imagination and tugs at the heartstrings. It’s a story of love, loneliness and the lengths we go to for family.👨👩👧🐾
Glowing Reviews of Bandit’s Great Escape
‘Reader’s Favourite’ WriteMentor Novel-in-Development Award 2023.
‘I was extremely engaged and pulled into the story incredibly quickly. I couldn’t stop reading, it was sooooo good!’ Child Reader Feedback
‘Bandit is a great character, with a fabulous voice and personality – he has so much to endure, but never really loses his joy.’
Emma Read, editor, and author of Milton The Mighty series
‘What an incredible, heart-warming story.’
Philip Kavvadias, author of Mission Microraptor
‘I thought this was a really clever way of writing, and it was fun seeing things through Bandit’s eyes.’
bookmadbarlow ~ Book Blogger Instagram
‘This very sweet book follows Bandit the dog and his beloved companion, Isla. Isla’s family has to unfortunately move away and they must leave Bandit with an elderly friend. When Bandit is left there, he doesn’t understand why Isla has left him and longs to go back to his friend. Porter writes this story beautifully from the perspective of Bandit. Some wonderful characters such as Isla, Nero the Rottweiler and Rat. A real adventure story which will excite readers, especially those who are pet lovers.’
MrsMckenzieReads ~ Book Blogger Instagram
‘Perfect for dog fans, this book is brilliantly told through the eyes of lovable dog Bandit, whose attempts to rejoin his beloved owners when they have to go away are exciting and funny for children and adults alike.’
Lisa Allen ~ Amazon Review
‘Rachel Rivers Porter masterfully tells the story from Bandit’s peculiarly doggy perspective. With her fun use of language and knowledge of dogs, she has produced an engaging and enjoyable tale that middle-grade children will especially love.’
CM ~ Amazon Review
‘Bandit, the hero has a loveable, bouncing character, and he goes through various difficulties, enlisting the help of other animal friends to find his owner Isla. All in all, a ‘Whisker-Tingling, Drool-Dribbling-Good’ read! (One of Bandit’s phrases).’
Helen ~ Amazon Review
‘A charming dog story. I especially liked how cleverly the author wrote through the eyes of the Bandit the wonderful doggy hero and how she captured the special relationship between a girl and her dog.’
Book-lover ~ Amazon Review
‘I loved the book and I’d recommend it to everyone in my class. I really liked the characters especially Bandit, Isla and Rat, and I enjoyed laughing at the two bumbling crooks.’
Raphael 10
‘I really liked how Croaky is trying to make Bandit into a human by teaching him to sit at the table to eat. She was lonely and stressed as she had issues, and he made her happy.’
Ruth 10
‘I loved reading Bandit’s Great Escape. I particularly liked how Bandit made good friends with Nero the rottweiler, and how they both changed as characters.’
Joshua 12
‘It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. Bandit’s Great Escape is 2nd in my Top Ten books after Mary Poppins and equal with Black Beauty.’
Hannah 8
‘I really enjoyed how Bandit kept changing from playful when Croaky taught him to have manners, then he changed back to a normal dog. I liked Rat’s personality – he was trying to help Bandit escape, but also trying to help himself by getting food off Bandit!’
Holly 10