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Runaway (by Wendelin Van Draanen)

common sense media says

Homeless at 12; a poignant read for mature teens.


parents & educators say
  • 40% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book covers poignant topics: death, homelessness, fear, and abuse. There are descriptions of the narrator's drug-addicted mother, who eventually dies from an overdose; abuse in foster care; and fear of starvation, freezing to death, and physical harm. Some passages may be hard for tender-hearted adolescents to read. But with the guidance of an adult, this is a suspenseful story that mature teens won't soon forget.

Positive messages: Though the main character encounters many bad role models, she makes key connections that end up saving her life. Her resiliency is inspiring. Her teacher who gave her the journal is a constant reminder of hope.
Violence: Main character is hit by a man who picked up girl and mother hitchhiking, attacked by homeless man causing fear for her life, hunted down by another homeless man for stealing his items, locked in laundry room without food or bathroom by foster parents, and had face flushed in toilet twice.
Sex: Some sexual abuse by foster fathers. Man walks in on girl going to the bathroom.
Language: "Pervert," and "shooting up" is the worst it gets.
Consumerism: A few name brands including Hefty bags and Sani-flush
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Mother was a heroin addict. She describes her shooting up and constantly searching for drugs by saying, "looking for a doctor." Mother dies from drug overdose.

More on Runaway

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about homelessness. How can kids and families help others in similar situations? Why is Holly afraid of social services, and what went wrong with the "system"? Was it OK for her to shoplift necessities for survival? Parents can also talk about what the journal has provided for Holly. Parents can point out that it was another adolescent who helped her in the end and the important role peers can play in each other's lives.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Through journal entries, 12-year-old Holly describes life in foster care and then as a homeless runaway. On her own she constantly searches for food, warmth, and shelter. She stows away on buses, trains, and trucks while she makes her way West. She eventually arrives in Los Angeles to find herself in East L.A., fearful of her life. Finally reaching the beach, she's made her goal. But moving north up the coast, she befriends few and finds life in the community of the homeless not very welcoming. Until she makes one life-changing connection.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

For mature teens with an interest in social consciousness or the trials of other adolescents, RUNAWAY is a sure hit. Holly chronicles her homeless experience, vividly and at times angrily, in a journal given to her a former teacher. Though she seems much older than a typical 12-year-old and her poetry borders on cliché, her dialogue is believable given the extreme circumstances that she faces.

Author Wendelin Van Draanen, a former teacher, clearly knows kids this age well and actually spent time sleeping outdoors, stowing away in a bus, and exploring a shelter to have a taste of the homeless experience -- her research is evident in the book's careful details. Runaway unfortunately suffers from an unrealistic ending, but it's appropriate for teen readers while instilling social consciousness about those less fortunate in the world.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication date: September 12, 2006
Number of pages: 256
Hardcover price: $15.95

This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

olga
teen, 16 years old
 
i loved it!!
it was a while since i read it but i want to do a report about it and its due tommorrow!!! so help me !! what are the main charactors?

writergirl100
kid, 11 years old
 
amazing!
this book is so great for kids 11+ i think. it was so good! i couldnt put it down, and was telling my mom the whole story! haha! but one thing i don't understand of the common sense review... how does it have any sex in it?

BananaBabe
kid, 13 years old
 
Perfect Book!
Hey! This is the best book ever, there is, however, name brands, language, drugs, and violence. All of it is mild and necessary for story to be told. Wendelin Van Drannen is genius, she is so awesome. I have no issues with this book with kids, it tells of great bravery, I admire that very much! <3

Reader1107711
parent of 15 year old
 
Perfect for Tweenies & Up.
I loved this book. The violence may be something, But it carries out with a great message. And is a GREAT read.

 
Really Great Book! (:
I Loved this book there was suspense on every page, Totally my favorite book.

lexalolu
teen, 14 years old
 
3 words: Best. Book. Ever.
This is, in my opinion, the greatest book ever written for teens. It is a story about an abused girl who used to be homeless, living on the streets with her drug-addict mother. When her mother dies, the girl goes into child foster care with two abusive families before she decides she can't take it anymore and runs away when the story starts. She is living on the streets again, and she goes through many scary, heart-wrenching adventures and mishaps before she finally finds a permanent home. This is a beautiful moving story that grabs you after the first page and doesn't let you go until the end. It is well-written and highly addictive, even more so because it is the diary of an 11-year-old girl (like me!) You are practically there with the character as she goes through these experiences. The flashback scenes to when her mom was till alive were the best parts, but also the hardest to read. The only downside was, as common sense mentioned, the story has an unrealistic ending. Also, parents may not be ok with the violence and drug abuse by Holly's mother and boyfriend in the flashbacks, so I reccomend parents read these ahead of time with anyone under 9. Great read for kids 10+ who can handle a mature story Note: Lexalolu must read

Thunderr Love
kid, 13 years old
 
Ohh Yeahh! :)
I loved this book! N im only 12 jus cuzz there is cusing so? Yur going to hear it in yur everyday life!

BookCrazed97
teen, 14 years old
 
Just finished it!
This book, in my opinion, is a great book. It made me cry and thankful for a hot shower and clean clothes. I think this book kind of opened my eyes a little. It helped me realized that everyone has a story. And you shouldn't judge on what you perceive a person to be.

SamSam1997
teen, 15 years old
 
its pretty good for teens but be warned
its pretty good Im a seventh grader and my english teacher reads it everyday at school

mpd0112
teen, 17 years old
 

citykid98
kid, 13 years old
 
It's a Keeper!
I think this is such a good book and is definitely on for 12 year olds! But this book shouldn't be read if under 12 years old. Runaway includes many social issues including bullying, neglect, death, poverty, abuse, drugs/alcohol, money and adoption. Although some of these social issues aren't positive, its what makes the book good and realistic. Plus the reader can learn a lot from the character Holly and her experiences. Great book!

xShakiraBoo_x3
teen, 14 years old
 
Not one word fails!
I'm 13, doing a book report for my middle grades project. My teacher asked us to pick a book and she would approved it. The minute I picked up runaway, I knew it would be the book for me. I'm the type of person who like the pre-teenage action like this. If you're not one that can take violence or drug abuse or anything of that nature, this book isn't recommended. I can very honestly say that I love this book. It makes me feel so thankful and if I could talk to Holly, oh there are so many things I could say. A great book for teenage readers!

rara44
teen, 13 years old
 
runaway is the best
i loved it I thought it was sad in just a really good book!!

Bean Bean Dou
teen, 14 years old
 
Great read!

mintoreo
teen, 18 years old
 
the book is the bomb
the book is amazing i have read it 16 times

ellaxo
teen, 16 years old
 
teens
i amonly 14 years old and i had got this book in Rhode Island and was already at page 173 after 3 days. if i was put in the same position at 12yrs i would be very much like Holly. I thought it was a great book!!

MyMy7
adult
 
I really like this book. It was kindove easy but it was a good book.

OliviaSmallSings
kid, 13 years old
 
on
I am 12 years old and it is age appropriate for kids that can handle it. There are no curse words, but they are not suitable for ages under 12. This is a good book that I think is very,very good! It has some talk about drugs, but they are saying it is a bad thing. Which is good.

squeen
teen, 13 years old
 
i think the titles is good too because it represents the book
I think the book is alrigth for preteen or kids 12 and up not for little kids because of the violence. what bout you?

Allie(:
teen, 15 years old
 
Suitable<3 (:
This book was one of the best books i have ever read <3 Im in 9 th grade and i think kids under the age of 12 should not read it though because it talks bout drugs and other stuff like that, which isn't appropriate for kids under the age of 12 unless you believe they know about all the necessary information.Also can someone help me with the theme on this book I have a project due tomorrow:P

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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