"Never Run Away" by Julie C. Round

When we think of runaway persons we usually see them as teenagers. In "Never Run Away" the missing person is Barbara Sharp, a mature married woman whose recently retired husband, Tony, is slow to realize how little he knew about her.

Barbara becomes "Tania Baker" and takes advantage of every opportunity. She's resourceful and adaptable. Most notable is her relationship with Ellen Boniface.

As he tries to track her Tony, ironically, expands his universe. He keeps in touch with their daughter, Carole, and makes friends at various stopovers. Some of his rough edges are smoothed when he gets a job driving a bus whose passengers thank him as they get off. (I live in a community where this is the custom.)

The book's title,"Never Run Away," implies that running away is not the best choice.....but perhaps there are times when running away leads to new and better lives. ( )