The runaways [Paperback]

Ruth Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1989 | Age Level: 10 and up

Having found an enormous sum of money and been threatened with punishment by their parents for not turning it in to the police, gawky eleven-year-old Julia and her bad-tempered friend Nathan flee London for Brighton and the open countryside.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- At the heart of this contemporary survival-friendship story are two unlikely 11-year-old allies, one black and one white. Nathan is small, wiry, bad-tempered, and an avid reader; Julia is tall, clumsy, a whiner, and virtually illiterate. The forces that unite them are their shared status as outsiders, and more importantly, their joint discovery of a treasure trove of cash in an abandoned house. Fearing retribution when their secret is exposed (they have flaunted their new-found wealth in front of classmates and teachers), they decide to run away together. What follows is a realistic record of a developing relationship as two former foes learn to respect, trust, and even make sacrifices for one another. In addition to compelling characterization, Thomas maintains interest with a storyline that is both believable and suspenseful, and a skilled writing style. This should appeal to young adolescents who can identify with the protagonists' feelings of inferiority, their desire to transcend their problems, and the conflicting needs for security and independence. --Julie Corsaro, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 297 pages
• Publisher: Lippincott (1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0397323441
• ISBN-13: 978-0397323449
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,515,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book, April 29, 2000

By 

"pooppoop" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Runaways (Paperback)

Two child\teen enemies find money in a old house and they runaway from home, because of personal difficulties. Through the story they not only become friends, but have to pretend like they are related not to be discovered, and taken home. They sacrifice alot to please, and as well get along with eachother. I read this book 3 years ago from a library, tried to buy it, and was heart broken when I found out that It was out of print.

5.0 out of 5 stars the runaways, December 26, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Runaways (Paperback)

the runaways is a very very good and exciting book.we read it in school when i became intrested in it.i really like it.though my sister haven't read it i told her about it and she said it is a good book.i like the bit where nathan apologised to julia cos it is unlikely for a character like nathan to apologise.

GOOD JOB