Runaway Twin [Hardcover]

Peg Kehret (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

A unique story of separated twins and the unexpected consequences of their reunion.

Sunny Skyland longs to be reunited with her twin sister, Starr. With only an old photograph, taken a few days before the girls were separated at age three, to guide her, Sunny begins the cross-country journey that she has dreamed of during her ten years in various foster homes. Sunny manages to locate her twin, only to be faced with a whole new challenge.

Award-winning author Peg Kehret combines suspense and action with reflections on the true meaning of family as Sunny learns that sometimes we must let go of our dreams in order to embrace a different, better future.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–7—Sunny Skyland has missed her twin sister ever since they were separated at age three after their mother and grandmother were killed in an automobile accident. Sunny has kept her memories of Starr alive over the past decade and in seven foster homes. Then, the discovery of a canvas bag containing $800, with no claimant, spurs Sunny to travel from Nebraska to her old neighborhood in Enumclaw, WA. Sunny is an experienced runaway who plans carefully and tells no one. She boards a bus for the first leg of her journey but then complicates her life by adopting a stray dog. Her trip is thwarted by a group of teenage boys, and she survives a tornado. She does reach her destination, but not with the expected ending. At times the plot twists, although possible, are improbable. Nonetheless, Sunny is a compelling and resourceful character whose adventures will keep readers turning the pages to see how things turn out.—Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
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Review

"Narrating her tale in a realistic voice, Sunny explains she's not a bad girl...her dogged determination will inspire." --Kirkus

"Sunny is a compelling and resourceful character whose adventures will keep readers turning the pages." --School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1 edition (October 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525421777
• ISBN-13: 978-0525421771
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #781,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've published 45 books; all but two are for children. I wrote magazine articles, short stories, and plays for many years before I discovered that what I like best is to write books for kids.
When I was twelve, I was paralyzed with polio. I made almost a full recovery but I remember that time of my life so clearly that it's easy for me to write from the viewpoint of a twelve or thirteen-year-old.
I'm always thrilled when one of my books wins a state young reader award, because I know those awards are voted on by children.
I am a widow who was married for 48 years. I have two grown children and four grandchildren. I live on a small wildlife sanctuary near Mt. Rainier National Park and I often have deer and elk in my yard.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sunny crosses the country in search of the sister she's lost, January 20, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runaway Twin (Hardcover)

Peg Kehret's RUNAWAY TWIN tells of Sunny, who longs to be reunited with her twin sister Starr. Separated at age three and with only a photo to guide her, Sunny crosses the country in search of the sister she's lost, rescuing an abandoned dog, handling bullies and bus drivers, and finding that when she locates her twin, life still isn't perfect.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RUNAWAY TWIN grabs the reader right from the start and doesn't let go, November 2, 2009

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runaway Twin (Hardcover)

Thirteen-year-old Sunny Skyland feels all alone in the world, desperately clinging to the few memories she has left of her loving family. But when her mom and grandmother died in a car accident, she and her twin sister, Starr, were split up, and Sunny hasn't seen or heard from Starr ever since.

Sunny's life hasn't held much love since she lost her family. One distant relative even abandoned her in an empty apartment. Following that, she became part of the system, bouncing from one foster home to another. Although the last two places were so bad that Sunny decided to run away, her current living arrangements are a vast improvement. She has been placed with a single woman named Rita, who seems decent enough except for her enthusiasm for healthy food. There's no junk food of any kind allowed in the entire house, causing a problem for the Twinkie-addicted Sunny. Despite that downside, Sunny can't help but start liking Rita. Still, she can't shake feeling somewhat incomplete and realizes there's only one thing that can change that --- finding Starr.

One day, an opportunity presents itself for her to do just that. While walking to the store for a much-needed Twinkie fix, Sunny stumbles upon a bag of money. She does the right thing and advertises her find, but when no one claims it, she makes her move. Armed with a few supplies and the only photo she has of her sister, Sunny sets off across the country to reunite with Starr. She doesn't have much to go on --- just the name of their old town written on the back of the photo --- but she's positive she'll find the house where they used to live. Surely a neighbor will have some information that could lead her to her other half, becoming whole once more. Although Sunny is in no way prepared for this adventure she sets out on, facing many horrors along the way, she remains determined to find her only family.

RUNAWAY TWIN grabs the reader right from the start and doesn't let go: "Most people who have a life-changing experience survive a terrible injury or disease. My life was transformed by a craving for Twinkies." The pages of this winning novel seem to turn entirely on their own, and faster and faster as the reader gets sucked into the riveting story. At the center of this wonderful book is a spirited heroine filled with determination, guts, and an intense longing for a real family. She also has deep insight into some of life's most intricate workings ("It made a good daydream, but I've learned that if you want dreams to come true, you have to take action."). Sunny will make readers laugh, shed tears and tremble in fear.

And the person to thank for introducing us to Sunny is an author you'll want to save space for on your bookshelf. I'm very much looking forward to Peg Kehret's next book.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The whole family read it, September 5, 2011

By 

Sandy May (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runaway Twin (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this book for my twin ten year old daughters to read, and they liked it so much I read it too.
The writing flows pleasantly and is exceptionally easy to follow. The story seems credible, and is captivating. The moods and thought processes seem very realistic. We all discussed the book afterwards and the girls and I want to read more Peg Kehret.