Runaway

RUNAWAY by

Category: Contemporary

Age Recommendation: Grades 6+

Release Date: 9/12/06

Publisher: Knopf

Reviewed by: Mechele R. Dillard

Rating: 4 Stars

Twelve-year-old Holly has had enough of “the system.” She is not going to let another foster dad touch her, or

allow

another foster mom to hit her. If she runs away, she knows she will have to fend for herself, but at least

she won’t

have to worry about being locked in a utility room without food, or having her head shoved in a toilet

as punishment

for refusing to be touched. And, most appealing of all, she will not have to face being called a

liar by the adults in “the

system.”

Holly believes that trusting adults can only result in trouble for her, and she cannot bring herself to take a leap

of faith

with her teacher, Ms. Leone. However, when she gives Holly a journal and suggests she explore

writing as a source

of comfort, Holly decides to give it a try, even though she is certain it is a waste of time:

“Giving me this journal

was a totally lame thing to do. You think writing will get me out of here? You think

words will make me forget

about the past? Get real, Ms. Leone!”

(p. 1). However, over the next several

months, Holly finds that the journal is

the only friend she can trust, the only one that is always there for her and,

ultimately, the only guide that keeps her on

track to something better.

RUNAWAY, presented entirely as journal entries, follows Holly from May 17th until December 1st, as she

chronicles her life on the streets and her constant search for food, a bath, and a warm place to sleep. Some

of the

poems seem a bit much to have come from the pen of a twelve-year-old, until one considers that Holly’

s life as a

“gypsy”--inspired by a way of life one would hope is a bit much to actually exist in the real world,

but, unfortunately,

is neither farfetched nor unrealistic--makes her mature expression of ideas more than

plausible.

RUNAWAY could be a real eye-opener for middle school kids, while easily being engaging enough for older

teens.

Additionally, although at 272 pages the book may appear lengthy for younger readers, the journal

format will actually

appeal to readers with shorter attention spans.

Runaway
by Wendelin Van Draanen