 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Woods Runner
- By Gary Paulsen
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Page-turner peppered with Revolutionary War history.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a war story, and as such, there is violence and sadness. There's gritty war violence (the main character, a young teen, shoots and kills a couple people in self-defense and watches others get killed) but it's never described graphically. Parents also need to know that this book offers positive characters who are generous and courageous and lots of historical information about the Revolutionary War.
What's the story?
In the wild frontier of Bristish Pennsylvania, 13-year-old Samuel is a "woods runner," or someone who hunts food for his entire settlement. Growing up sheltered by his gentle parents, Samuel feels far from the American patriot war they have barely heard about -- until his village is attacked and burned, leaving neighbors murdered and his parents kidnapped by Iroquois and British Redcoats. Armed with only a knife and a rifle, Samuel uses his forest skills to track the kidnappers. When he learns that his parents, as prisoners of war, are being taken to New York, Samuel sets out into enemy territory.
Is it any good?
WOODS RUNNER is a worthy page-turner, just right for the reader who is ready for a gripping, informational book with some violence. The book offers meaningful characters, true adventure, helpful and interesting historical notes, as well as an epilogue and an afterword. The story doesn't go into the politics or particulars of the Revolutionary War, yet it sets a tone of learning under the action and in the author's historical notes that pepper the story. Kids will get through this book easily, though it will leave a mark on them. It would also make a good tie-in to a school study of American history.
What families can talk about
Samuel's parents read aloud to each other every night. Why do you think they did that? Has your family ever spent time reading aloud together? If so, what have you read together? What would you like to read together now? What do people get out of shared reading?
Samuel's parents left a bigger town to live on the frontier (the colony of Pennsylvania). It was difficult for them to get news and they had no idea the war was as close as it was. How do you get news? Do you live in a big or small town, and does that make a difference in how you get your news?
Samuel says, "I didn't even know there was anyone to fight. Who was good or bad, which side to be on." Is it always clear in war who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? Who says who is good and who is bad? What role does the media play in our attiutudes toward war?
Many innocent lives are lost at war, including those of non-soldiers, the elderly, women, and children. How do nations try to protect innocents? Are there rules of war? Ask your parents about or research The Geneva Conventions of 1949.
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AGE
My teacher recommended this book for me. It is addictive, but more than a bit violent. There is death, but other than that it is a good educational book. I would suggest it.
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AGE
Woods Runner Review
I am 11 years old and we read this book in class. At parts, specifically in the beginning, I thought it was a little too graphic... Like when it describes the neighbors being mutilated and scalped. Over all I liked the book. It sets a positive message, fight for what you believe in.
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AGE
Sad and gruesome.
I disagree with the review that says the violence in this book isn't graphic. It describes in detail what dead bodies look and smell like. It describes what happens to a face after it's owner has been scalped. It speaks of dead children and murdered parents.
If you can get past the gruesomeness of this book you will find a wonderfully accurate historical fiction story describing a way of life many of us have never heard of before.
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AGE
An amazing story, but may be too graphic and violent for younger readers.
The book is a little too graphic for its intended age group. It tells of scalped, bloody, and dismembered victims of war. However, this book is true to the horrors of the American Revolutionary War and tactics taken by many military men of the time. Is a short, quick read and may be recommended to children who don't have a quezy stomach and love an adventurous tale taken place during an important era in U.S. history.
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AGE
love this book
I think that cause it tell u history of the Relation war and how they deal with this because it was bloody, sad and the people in that lived thought it had been a part of family and friends.
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AGE
Woods Runner. Five Stars
I red this novel. And I enjoyed it. A good thing about it is that its very moving how determined he is. And i think it shows that if you set your mind to it, anything is possible. Also, its very educational. After every chapter there is a factional piece. Very interesting. Yes, there is some weapons, and violence, but it's a war story. So I guess it should be expected? Im 13, nd for a class ssignmet we read this nbook. I usually don't like anything filled with facts. But actually, by the end, i enjoyed it. Although I must admit, i skipped the side chapters in between the real stroy.
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AGE
For Everyonee !!
Pretty Beastt Bookk ! I read it and it was really sad but overall it was a really good book. Andd its a Rebecca Caduill Bookk !
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AGE
what i believe
this book is a good example to be educated with the British war
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Kid, 11 years old
February 9, 2012
AGE
Awesome
This is just WOW i love this book hope they make it to the movies. and also is a little boring in the first couple chapters but it just haves you on your feet it is a great great great book LOVE IT!!!!
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| Author: | Gary Paulsen |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Wendy Lamb |
| Publication date: | January 12, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 176 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 12 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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