Runner

Carl Deuker's RUNNER should attract both teachers of reluctant readers and young readers who feel that reading is not for them. The beginning is interesting enough with its high school bullying episodes and questions of rich (as embodied by romantic interest Melissa Watts) vs. poor kids (our protagonist Chance Taylor, who lives on a small sailboat on a marina's dock), but the book really takes off when recreational runner Chance gets an offer he wants to but cannot refuse -- running mysterious packages in exchange for cash like he and his alcoholic ne'er-do-well father have never seen. Here the high-octane plot takes off, running away with a reader who can't help but hold on to find out what's happening. Are the packages drugs? Explosives? Money? And who are the mysterious people leaving them behind in the cracks of a retaining wall near a beach on Puget Sound? Chance really doesn't want to know, but soon events take a dangerous turn, and if he cannot work up the guts to seek out the truth, it turns out the truth might be ready to seek him out -- with dire results. Known for his sports books, Deuker here shows a skill for pacing and plot in a thriller that will keep readers guessing until the spectacular finish. Although it touches on themes of patriotism and social class, RUNNER shouldn't be read for any deep characterization or rich description; realize instead that it is a book meant to entertain with a fast-moving story that should win over even the most reluctant of readers. Teachers should keep it on hand for students who will only try a fast-read, and young readers looking for a quick and engaging plot should "play Chance" by running some packages that may or may not make them an accomplice to a crime.

Chance is the main character in the book called Runner. This book was written by Carl Deuker. Chance and his dad live on a boat in a marina. His dad is having problems paying moorage fees and other expenses. Chance has to help him out. Chance's dad is an alcoholic and a bum spending the rest of his spare change on beer. The father would rather sit out on his tiny boat drinking than helping his son. Chance is having many problems in his life when his mom leaves them to go on and do something more with her life. Everyone on the pier knows that Chance's dad just got fired from his job. A stranger who nobody has seen before works in the marina office and asks Chance if he needs money to help his dad out. Chance doesn't think twice about this decision. All he has to do is jog a mile to a point, look for a package, then jog back with the package. If there is a package at the point, Chance returns it to the office marina guy. Every week Chance receives $200 dollars for running his normal jog route and returning packages that are there at the point. Chance is desperate for money to keep his boat and his spot on the pier. This job appears easy to Chance. He doesn't think about the contents of the packages and the possible consequences. In this heart-pounding thriller, Carl Deuker combines global concerns and the threat of terrorism with the everyday worries of a teen who only wants to keep his life together until graduation. Supported by a smart, politically aware girl in his history class, Chance learns there's a lot more to patriotism than just waving a flag, and a lot more to courage than just following rules he knows may be wrong. This timely, complex story will make you think twice about the choices you make and what it means to be brave. I personally liked this book a lot. It has several good parts in this story and some bad parts too. In life you want to make good choices and not bad ones. The moral of the story is to always think before you act.

this book was the best book i have read.and still reading. i actually for the first time sat down for an hour and read 18 chapters. it was that interesting. its a hard book to put down. its about a high school boy who lives not the best life someone dreams of. his dads drinks 24/7 and does not like his job. the boy quites his job to work for the peirs. he pays him 200 bucks to run his usuall rote to pick up a package everynight. there may be one there may not. also hes quit quite in school. but hes got quit a story to tell about his life. i like this book because its very similer to what my life use to be like. so if you had a life that was not the best this is the book for you.

Carl has done it again! This book is wonderfully written. I'm a first time reader of his book and i have to say i loved it! I think that this book is good for anyone who really wants to be in a hero.

I've gotten out of the habit (sadly) of reading, but decided to check out this book. It was definitly a good experience. From the other reviews, you basically know the plot. I kept reading and reading this book. In fact, it almost made me late for my babysitting job. It kept me guessing...