The Runner

This is the story of Samuel ‘Bullet’ Tillerman. Bullet’s father tells him to cut his hair. This started a big feud between them. Bullet would run to get his frustrations out. He loved the feeling it gave to him. While on the track team at school, this wasn’t why he ran. He just ran. Bullet’s goal was to turn 18, get out of school and go to Viet Nam. Did he make his dream come true? Thank you, Cynthia Voigt for another part of the Tillerman story. I look forward to reading more.

This book is extremely powerful. Cynthia Voigt interlaced and weaves many ideas about everything - racism, friendship, who you are, who you can be, being different, judging people, pushing your limits, values, ... It tells us the story about a young man named Samuel, who calls himself Bullet. He's strong willed, stubborn, and incredibly strong in his character. He lives by his own rules, which include not answering to his domineering father, his mother, or mixing with the "coloreds" at his school. He won't let no one run him - and he's willing to break all rules but his own. This is the kind of book that stays with you, it's got some very powerful messages. I couldn't sleep at night, because I kept thinking about questions this book raised in me. When a book does that to you, in my opinion, it means that it's a very good book. One of my favorite books. A must, must, must read.

For those who enjoy the Tillermans, this book is essential--not just because you learn about Bullet, Dicey's uncle, but because you learn a lot about Gram--you see her as a mother, and live through some of the events that clearly have shaped her by the time we see her in Homecoming, etc. It also tells a story about a very stressful time in American history, beautifully conveying the tension of both the Vietnam war and race relations. The main character truly evolves from being a bigot to someone with a greater appreciation for humanity. This tranformation occurs in a very believable way, and stays true to the Bullet you have come to know. A terrific addition to the Tillerman series, with a different feel than any of the others.

I first read The Runner when I was twelve. I've re-read the book once or twice a year ever since, and it gets better with each reading.Voigt does nothing to soften the harsh facts of 1960s society, and some facets might seem shocking especially to a younger reader. However, watching Bullet confront his own racial prejudice and slowly realize how little sense it makes (he later concludes "You are what you are, and that's what counts") made me think of the smaller and more subtle ways in which prejudice might affect my own thoughts, even without my realizing it.My mother read this book along with me, and I think it's a very good book for parents and older children to read and discuss together.

its hard not to fall in love with bullet, the main character, even though you have realized that he is a biggot, a rebellious teenager that could care less about other people. cynthia voight has done a wonderful job in this book in her tillerman family cycle, and if you have read 'dicey's song', 'a solitary blue', 'come a stranger', 'sons from afar', or 'homecoming', this is yet another tearjerker for you.

I loved this book as a teenager. Although I do not run, I loved the character Bullet. He is an outcast with many problems to contend with. This book changed the way I looked at the world and helped me get through high school without losing my personality. Especially great if you love Dicey's Song or Homecoming: Bullet is Dicey's uncle.