Runaway

I thoroughly enjoyed "Runaway" and found it difficult to put down. Twelve year old Holly was an engaging character with a wonderful voice. She was sassy and tough, yet at the same time heart-wrenchingly vulnerable and determined to survive. Many an occasion Holly made me smile, but at other times I felt so sorry for her as she constantly battled to find food, warmth and a way to keep clean. I liked the diary format of the book as Holly writes in the journal her English teacher gave her. She begins by venting her anger at Ms Leone but gradually she shares her fears, her past and her dreams, and discovers she has a way with poetry. This is second book I've read by this author and am impressed with her ability to write such inspiring show more stories. I will certainly be looking for her other books. A touching read! show less

There are way too many kids who have to grow up before their time, and this is about one of them. I'm not sure which would be worse - living with Holly's creepy and abusive foster father, or being homeless, hungry, and in danger of being robbed or hurt all the time. Written in diary form, Holly's voice is the only bright spot in this bleak story. And I mean that in a good way - it's worth the stress of the story to hear her thoughts and think about what she has to say about the world.

I read this book when I was in Jr High, and even though it is a very mature book, it taught me about the world and how you don't know what someone could be going through. The book also mentions how school can be someone's only outlet. This book is about a 12 year old little girl, Holly, whose mom is a drug abuser of Heroin. Because of this, Holly is a foster child who hates it in her second foster house and runs away. Throughout her journey she writes in her journal about what it is like to be a gypsy. Along the way she comes across homeless encampments, trains, and having to scam food. Holly learns throughout her journey how hard it can be to be a 12 year old experiencing the world all by yourself. I would recommend this book for older show more middle school to lower high school grades to teach them different perspectives in the world. show less

Reviewed by Mechele R. Dillard for TeensReadToo.com

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 show more 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. show less

My daughter loved this book and recommended it to me. I found it very compelling, though sometimes sad and scary. The ending was little too neat, but overall it was very well written and engaging. I would definitely recommend it and read more by this author.

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen is the diary of a smart, needfully wary, 12-year-old homeless girl. Holly's life began to fall apart when her father died, but things really go to hell when her increasingly desperate mother turns to street drugs for comfort. Holly ends up in foster care and with her "bad attitude" working against her, she ends up in the dregs of the United States social care system.

A tragic story, right? Well, yes, but Van Draanen gives Holly her own agency, furthered by the decision to tell the story in journal form. Living on the street is quite realistically portrayed, which means Holly has to work at her survival. She's a smart kid, but not all her choices are good ones. During the course of this quick read, our show more heroine grows up quite a bit, guided by her own words and retrospection far more than by the lessons of adults. (Though, it was a teacher who cared that gave Holly her journal book in the first place.) My only strong criticism of Runaway is the ending is too nicely-wrapped-up for a book that, for the most part, tells it how it is. Still, I would recommend this book to both teens and adults. show less

Holly Janquell, a 12 year old, runs away from her fifth foster home in two years, but this time she gets away cleanly and she doesn't come back! She soon finds out that life on the streets is difficult, but she's determined, resilient, and intelligent. She chronicles her adventures by writing in a journal given to her by her English teacher. Her mom died of a heroin overdose and Holly has no where to go, but is determined to get to California to the coast. This book actually ends on a hopeful note, and Holly is rescued by a peer, although she doesn't recognize the resuce at first.