The Runaway

by Glen Huser

Overview

It's 1923 and Leroy is on the run from a couple of abusive cousins. He stumbles into a traveling Chautauqua show, where it's easy to get lost in a crowd—but also easy to lose your heart. This funny and endearing novel by Governor General's Award-winning novelist Glen Huser will make an absorbing read for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds, boys and girls alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781896580210
Publisher:	Tradewind Books
Publication date:	03/01/2012
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	147
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	11 - 14 Years

About the Author

Glen Huser is the bestselling, critically acclaimed Governor General's Award-winning author of numerous books that have won multiple honours and awards. Born in Alberta, he now lives and writes in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Editorial Reviews

"Huser's writing style is simple with a vocabulary that is interesting without being too challenging. This piece of historical fiction vividly captures 1920s America through the heartwarming story of a young man who has lost everything...I would definitely recommend this book to both middle school and high school aged teens."

Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON)

"This first-person account by a good-hearted hero is the perfect guide through a charming and little-known piece of Americana. The style is plainsong poetry, and the story both evocative and heartrending. Highly recommended."

Historical Novel Society

Gr 5–7—Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Leroy "Doodlebug" Barnstable is willing to do anything to get away from his abusive cousins. When, in 1922, his father dies and leaves the 15-year-old and his mother homeless and nearly broke, they go to live with Aunt Alvina and her grown sons. Leroy learns that his mother has given the rest of their funds to cousins Virgil and Albert Grimble for "safekeeping." However, she soon dies, and Albert scoffs at the notion that he owes Leroy anything. Enraged, the teen steals some money, borrows a horse, and escapes the clutches of the hated Grimbles. His journey finds him in the company of a hobo who first befriends and then robs him, leaving him injured in the process. After these setbacks, Leroy is taken in by Ambrose Poindexter, the leader of a traveling Chautauqua. He becomes enchanted with lovely Maggie, who enlists his help with the children and encourages his artistic abilities. The story has a happy ending, but the climax is disappointing. Most of the time Leroy comes across as younger than his nearly 17 years, and it's hard to imagine that Maggie would be interested in him. Still, readers will find the story of the Chautauqua entertaining.—Wendy Scalfaro, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY

School Library Journal

A teenage near-orphan comes of age in a Depression-era Chautauqua—a "week-long extravaganza of entertainment and educational enlightenment" that traveled to towns that could cover the cost of putting on the programs. When his father dies and his mother is severely injured in a car crash, 14-year-old Leroy "Doodelbug" Barnstable goes off to live with his Aunt Alvina and his cousins Virgil and Albert. But his cousins are abusive, and Leroy soon runs off. Leroy had lived a pretty ordinary life until that "topsy-turvy year," and that Chautauqua summer is a life changer. Musicians, magicians, storytellers, comedians, actors and actresses perform all day long, and Doodlebug earns his keep by putting the artistic skills that are the source of his nickname to work in entertaining the little kids who arrived each day. Doodlebug gets to travel, meet new people and fall in love. The first-person narration lets readers in on his new experiences and feelings, and soon Doodlebug feels like an old friend, and the world of the Chautauqua circuit comes alive. Intrigue, romance and fun leaven this tale of a good-hearted runaway boy beginning to find his way in the world. This likable protagonist makes for a fine introduction to an era before movies and radio caused the Chautauqua to fade away. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 9-14)

Kirkus Reviews