Runaway

by Becky Citra

Overview

Max is horrified when he sees Sam Black, a new neighbor, strike a boy who is in his charge, but Max still shouts, "Thief," and tries to catch the boy when he sees him steal from the General Store in The Landings. When the abused boy runs away and takes refuge in Max’s secret fort in the woods, Max must decide where his loyalties lie.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554697038
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	10/01/2003
Series:	Orca Young Readers
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Becky Citra is the author of over twenty books, ranging from early chapter books to novels for young adults. She was an elementary school teacher for over twenty-five years and began writing for children in 1995. Becky's books have been shortlisted for and won many awards, including the Red Cedar Award, the Diamond Willow, the Silver Birch and the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize. She lives in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

Read an Excerpt

The sound came from behind the cabin, like someone hitting something hard. I glanced up at the windows. What had happened to Papa? I sucked in my breath and ducked around the side.



A boy was swinging an axe at a log propped up against a stump. I slipped behind a tree and watched. The boy split the log in half and then picked up the pieces and threw them on a pile.



I'd never seen such a skinny boy. When he swung the axe his shoulder blades stuck out under his shirt. His feet were bare and his pants ended in a ragged line just below his knees. The boy split two more pieces of wood. Then he dropped the axe and leaned over, gulping in air, his hands on his knees.

Editorial Reviews

"Huser has created a fast-paced, enjoyable story, the setting of which gives an organic history lesson about the
Chautauqua Shows, a movement that spanned the 1880s to the 1920s...Huser has a flair for 1920s lingo and for painting minor characters with a few well-chosen observations."

Canadian Children's Book News

"The characters shine and Leroy's inner-voice (from which the book takes its narrative style) shows an active and practical mind. Humour also plays a strong role in keeping this tale light and alive. The Epilogue and Author's note detail the historical background and personal impetus for this adventure tale. Some of the characters existed in real life. This book is wonderful though for those students who enjoy an adventure in time and in spirit."

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