Gunner's Run

by Rick Barry

World War II is the setting for Gunner’s Run, a historical fiction novel for teens by Rick Barry. Nineteen-year-old Jim Yoder is an ocean away from his childhood home in Elkhart, Indiana, and his pretty friend, Margo Lace. He is serving in the United States Air Corps as a waist gunner flying on a B-24 high above the battlefield. Through a strange chain of events, Jim finds himself back on the ground and trapped behind enemy lines. As Jim is running across Nazi Germany to reach the safety of Allied soil, he discovers that to survive he will have to trust the God he once rejected. This Christian fiction book is full of excitement, danger, and realistic details about World War II Europe.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Christian, Adventure, Christian Fiction, World War II

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2007

About the author

Rick Barry is the author of The Methuselah Project, Methuselah Project S.O.S., Gunner's Run, Kiriath's Quest, The Next Fithian, plus over 200 published articles and fiction stories. In addition to being a World War II buff, he has visited Eastern Europe over 50 times in connection with Christian ministries. He holds a degree in foreign languages and speaks Russian. Visit Rick at these sites:

Website: www.rickcbarry.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/AuthorRickBarry
X: @WriterRickBarry
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JPA39S.

Reviews

[Leah Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nineteen year old Jim Yoder has his life under control until he ends up a fugitive in Hitler’s third Reich. As he journeys across Europe Jim encounters other fugitives, traitors and resistance fighters. Will he make it home to tell his father and the girl he loves that he trusts God?

I have read this book three times. Once on my own, and twice out loud. I started reading it to my dad while we were on vacation, but we didn’t finish till we got home. Then I had to start it again because my mom and brother wanted to know what happened before the part they heard! Everyone enjoyed it, and I highly recommend Gunner’s Run.

Read an Interview with the Author

[Jill Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting trek through Nazi Germany.

In Gunner’s Run by Rick Barry, Jim Yoder, a World War II B-26 gunner, falls from his plane and parachutes into Nazi Germany. He is quickly caught and thrown into prison. Having turned his back on God years ago, he makes his peace, knowing he may never get back home. But once he and God are communicating, Jim’s prayers are answered. He manages to escape the prison, don a German soldier’s uniform, and start the long trek towards France.

He sleeps the days away and travels at night, steering clear of the roads, eating raw potatoes and anything he can find. He meets friends and enemies on his journey, assumes several identities to get past Nazi forces, and dreams of the day he can get back to Indiana and see Margo, the girl he hopes to make a future with.

I enjoyed Jim’s suspenseful journey to stay out of the Gestapo’s clutches and how he depended on God to get him through. Having a grandfather who fought in WWII, it was fascinating to see stories of people trusting God and working together to help each other out of enemy territory. Gunner’s Run put me smack in the middle of a side of WWII I never studied. Recommended.

[Josiah Smallwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Pilot to gunners. Keep your eyes open. We’re almost to target. By now every German fighter in the area knows where to find us.”
I read that on the back cover. I did not predict that it would be the opening line. What awed me just as much if not more was the dedication: “Dedicated to those who never returned”
I did not think I would enjoy this one as much as I did! The story was way better than I thought, and pretty gripping!

[Lizzy Hite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up, not knowing how fast I'd actually finish it. But from page one, I was totally involved in this story and was very very disappointed when I had to put it down to do other things. XD Would definitely recommend! :)

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When 19 year old gunner on Liberator airplane ends up behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany, he goes on the run to escape. As he tries to get back to England he meets both the good and the bad. Really showed that people are all sorts of ways. He also finds his way back to God. Great book.

[Kaitlyn Rinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I would read it again. The author did his research well. I love reading historical fiction where I learn something about history. The Christian aspects were great too. If you like learning about WWII, then you will enjoy this book.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story blending WW2 drama and a prodigal son returning to God... well worth a read

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! It was cool to see World War Two in a soldier piont of view and all the adventures the Jim Yoder had! This book is good for both boys and girls.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow amazing book. This is a real page turner. Expect the unexpected once you dive into the pages.

[Christina Gibbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a rule, I can't get enough World War II stories. However, this book felt like it was a first draft, with awkward word usage, introduction of parts of the chatacter's background at times which were too "convenient" and felt like a sad attempt to cover up a plot hole, as well as scenes that seemed to serve little purpose except to lengthen the word count. One particurlarly sad scene was when the main character, a gunner on a B-24, actually contemplated whether to use "who or whom?" while on a bombing run. Granted, the author notes the silliness of asking such a question, but it was nonethless a needless scene that served for little purpose than to further develop the annoying personality of the main character, although this may only be because of my own distaste for overly snobby self proclaimed English experts. That all being said, I do believe this book could have been great if it had had better editors and gone a few more rounds through the editing process. As previosly stated, this story reads like a rough draft.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this a second time - September 2014. I read it first to my daughters when they were ages 6-9 about six years ago, and they loved it. I just finished reading it to my sons, now ages 8 and 9, and I think they loved it even more. I'd read one chapter per night, and they'd beg me to read the next chapter. Many of the chapters finish with cliffhangers, so my sons would groan if I made them wait one more night until we got to the next chapter. Anyhow, a great adventure story for reading out loud to your children. Highly recommended!

[Tiffany Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this a very good read for both male and female readers. There is action and suspense, but also a light romantic aspect to it. Although it takes place during World War 2, the story revolves around the main character, Jim Yoder, more than on battles or bloodshed. Sounds historically accurate. You feel like you are right there with Jim during his unexpected adventure! I highly recommend it.

[Mauricio Tecero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought he book was very exciting and intense because although the main character Jim Yoder over comes many of the conflicts her also interacts with a new conflicts that's stays with him all through out the story. Jim also when travels through out Europe has a strong influence in god protecting him.

[Randall Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic gripping tale of a WWII gunner trapped behind enemy lines, struggling to make his way home. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Hooked from the moment he falls out of the rear of his plane without a chute! Amazing fun story!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Barry's 'Gunner's Run' is a story that follows a young man's journey as he escapes past Nazi held Belgium and France. A simple, straight forward story that puts you right in the middle of Europe during World War II. This is a great Historical Fiction.

[Sam Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Jim Yoder, is in an accident in a USAAF B-24 Liberator and parachutes into Nazi Germany, he promptly escapes into the German countryside. He then has to find his way back to England with the help of people unliking of Nazi control.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

[Andy]

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[Sarah Bierle · Rating 4 out of 5]

We did a readalong with this historical fiction YA novel on Gazette665's blog in autumn 2018! https://gazette665.com/tag/read-along...