This is an emotionally direct survival story in which a young narrator records movement, deprivation and painful memories. Its outlook is hopeful, but the route towards help includes frightening and distressing experiences.
More about this book
"It's a cold, hard, cruel fact that my mother loved heroin more than she loved me."Holly is in her fifth foster home in two years and she's had enough. She's run away before and always been caught quickly. But she's older and wiser now--she's twelve--and this time she gets away clean.Through tough and tender and angry and funny journal entries, Holly spills out her story. We travel with her across the country--hopping trains, scamming food, sleeping in parks or homeless encampments. And we also travel with her across the gaping holes in her heart--as she finally comes to terms with her mother's addiction and death. Runaway is a remarkably uplifting portrait of a girl still young and stubborn and naive enough to hold out hope for finding a better place in the world, and within herself, to be.From the Hardcover edition.
Holly travels alone, looking for food, warmth and shelter, and stays in parks or homeless encampments.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The book presents this through Holly’s fictional journal narrative and lived experience.
Talk about: How do Holly’s practical needs affect the way she understands safety, trust and independence?
Addiction and bereavement
Holly confronts her mother’s heroin addiction and death from an overdose.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The book presents this through Holly’s fictional journal narrative and emotional experience.
Talk about: What explanations, feelings or unanswered questions does Holly bring to her mother’s addiction and death?
Care, harm and asking for help
Holly has experienced several foster placements, harmful treatment and difficult relationships with adults before eventually asking for help.MixedMixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.Mixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.
How the book presents it: Adults are shown as having both good intentions and serious flaws; the narrative gives significance to connections that help Holly survive.
Talk about: If some adults fail Holly while others help, what signs might distinguish safety, responsibility and trustworthiness?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
Its strongest offering is Holly’s perspective on homelessness, addiction, bereavement and foster care without making those hardships the whole of her identity. Her writing also gives space to anger, humour, tenderness and uncertainty.
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What Deserves Attention
Consider reading alongside a trusted adult if family addiction, parental death, homelessness, abuse or physical danger may feel particularly close. The book offers openings for discussing how people seek and receive help.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does Holly’s journal voice change as she encounters danger, loss and kindness? What might make asking for help difficult, and what kinds of help seem trustworthy to her?
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Reading Approach
Read in short sections and pause after especially threatening or sorrowful entries. Invite the reader to name Holly’s feelings, notice moments of support, and stop or return later if discussion becomes overwhelming.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Survival and homelessness: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Addiction and bereavement: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Care, harm and asking for help: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Book information
Limited information
Relevant to: Survival and homelessness; Addiction and bereavement
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