Runaway

I was given another book by Van Draanen- Flipped. I read it, loved it and it's a staple in my read aloud arsenal for my 7th graders. I was curious to know if she had written anything new. I found Runaway and was hooked after the first two sentences. The author really did her homework about the life of a homeless person. Holly's anger started to unravel through her writing. (What an insightful teacher she had) I loved this sentence: "She felt like a mangy mutt trotting through a party of poodles." What great writing. Van Draanen is a master!

Runaway is one of the best books I have ever read it keeps you entertained until the end. If you don't like this book you are crazy. This book has adventure andand saddness. I almost cried. It is a great book and you should raed it.

A provocative book about twelve year-old Holly who runs away from an abusive foster home and dreams of being a gypsy by the sea. Arriving in foster care at age ten after her mother dies of a drug overdose, Holly records her homeless life and the emotions of her past in a journal that a well-meaning teacher gave her. This frighteningly real portrayal of a young runaway and the plight of the homeless in general (the good, the bad and the ugly), gives much needed insight into the unhappy realities of this population. The reader may become aware that the social services system is fallible, particularly with regard to the rights of children, who are ofttimes victims that are seen but not heard, not listened to or believed. Van Draanen emphasizes more how people fail each other as they struggle for their own rights and independence, or as they seek to help others do the same--or not. The author includes a personal afterward which gives the story exceptional credence, and perhaps, one would hope, so that the reader can make more educated choices regarding their own opinions and possibly dealings wtih the homeless in general and runaways in particular.

Runaway is a powerful depiction of the struggles the homeless encounter on a daily basis, especially for the homeless youth. It is also an eye-opening view of our educational system chooses to either neglect or embrace with empathy the troubles of youth as victims of their parents life choices. Parents, teachers, students alike will enjoy this book; especially those who are familiar with the saga of Sammy Keyes.

Twelve year old Holly decides that life on the streets would be better than staying in an abusive foster home. She recounts her experiences in a journal, and finds out that this is a tough environment. Wendelin tempers the rough parts of the book with some great poetry. The book is well written and should be read by all teachers, social workers and foster parents. The author dedicates this book to teachers everywhere and is a fitting tribute to them.