Runaway

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Homeless at 12; a poignant read for mature teens.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Some sexual abuse by foster fathers. Man walks in on girl going to the bathroom.
  • "Pervert," and "shooting up" is the worst it gets.
  • A few name brands including Hefty bags and Sani-flush
  • 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.

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?

 

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.


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What families can talk about

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.


This review was written by Pam Gelman
Teen, 17 years old
March 22, 2009
 
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?

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Kid, 12 years old
June 7, 2009
 
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?

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Kid, 13 years old
September 9, 2010
 
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

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Parent of 15 year old
September 28, 2009
 
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.

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Adult
September 18, 2009
 
Really Great Book! (:
I Loved this book there was suspense on every page, Totally my favorite book.

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Teen, 14 years old
February 12, 2009
 
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

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Kid, 13 years old
May 10, 2011
 
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!

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Teen, 14 years old
November 28, 2010
 
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.

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Teen, 18 years old
December 3, 2009
 
the book is the bomb
the book is amazing i have read it 16 times

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Teen, 15 years old
October 14, 2009
 
its pretty good for teens but be warned
its pretty good Im a seventh grader and my english teacher reads it everyday at school

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This review was written by Pam Gelman
Author:Wendelin Van Draanen
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Adventure
Publisher:Alfred A. Knopf
Publication date:September 12, 2006
Number of pages:256
Hardcover price:$15.95
Publisher's recommended age(s):10 - 14

This review was written by Pam Gelman
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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