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On The Run #4
The Stowaway Solution
OUT TO SEA...
The FBI is after them. So is a killer. Their parents are in jail. And friends are nowhere to be found. Fugitives far from home, Aiden and Meg Falconer only have each other to trust.
But when the chase gets too intense on land and the Falconers stow away on a seabound freighter, things start to fall apart. The crew is suspicious... and a monster storm is on its way. Fate is about to tear Aiden and Meg away from each other - perhaps forever.
...WITH NOWHERE TO HIDE.
The FBI is after them. So is a killer. Their parents are in jail. And friends are nowhere to be found. Fugitives far from home, Aiden and Meg Falconer only have each other to trust.
But when the chase gets too intense on land and the Falconers stow away on a seabound freighter, things start to fall apart. The crew is suspicious... and a monster storm is on its way. Fate is about to tear Aiden and Meg away from each other - perhaps forever.
...WITH NOWHERE TO HIDE.
147 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
60 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Korman
249 books4,417 followersGordon Korman is a Canadian author of children's and young adult fiction books. Korman's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide over a career spanning four decades and have appeared at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
April 5, 2017
Another good book. A very adventurous and suspenseful series. The characters stowaway on a boat and go to a place where they jump off. To be comtinued. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME
February 18, 2015
Fast paced page turner. I used to love this series and have fond memories of racing through the volumes.
April 29, 2016
The book was pretty good but not 4 star satisfaction. It was a pretty good speed in the beginning, but too fast at the end. It had very low action ratingmso, 3 stars.
May 12, 2025
This story is past the halfway point of this series but as I discovered previously there is a second series with the same characters, the Kidnapped series has another three volumes, so you could see this as the fourth of 9 stories featuring the Falconer's.
A few years ago in the summer of 2022, Korman published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read over 45 of his books. I am starting to make a serious dent in his canon, with each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. My son often reads these books to me or with me. And now my youngest daughter has started reading them. I have been jumping around on different series and from his oldest works to his newest. There are so many great read in the Korman’s collection.
My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in their copy of the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. We listened to this one on a recent road trip. The series consists of:
Chasing the Falconers
The Fugitive Factor
Now You See Them, Now You Don't
The Stowaway Solution
Public Enemies
Hunting the Hunter
The description of this volume is:
“The FBI is after them. So is a killer. Their parents are in jail. And friends are nowhere to be found. Fugitives far from home, Aiden and Meg Falconer only have each other to trust.
But when the chase gets too intense on land and the Falconers stow away on a seabound freighter, things start to fall apart. The crew is suspicious... and a monster storm is on its way. Fate is about to tear Aiden and Meg away from each other - perhaps forever.”
Another is:
“The thrills take to the seas in the latest breakneck-speed adventure from ace storyteller Gordon Korman. Aiden and Meg Falconer are on the hunt for the one man who might be able to free their parents from jail. The hitch? There are plenty of other people on the hunt for THEM, including the FBI and an eerie, hairless killer. After one close call too many, the Falconers find themselves stowed away on a ship -- but the chase doesn't end there. Instead, it moves to close quarters, where every step, every breath, could get them caught.”
Unlike many of Korman’s books the chapters do not have titles, in any of the first four books in the series. The premise of the series, at least from the four volumes reminds me of Conspiracy 365 January by Gabrielle Lord, also from Scholastic but published 5 years after this series. At the end of the volume is no preview of the next instalment, but all 6 volumes published in just over a year.
The intensity in this series just got cranked way up. And it was already pretty high. Meg and Aiden have a close encounter in LA, and find themselves being hunted by every law enforcement office in the area. Using skill, cunning, tips from their father’s mystery books, and their own ingenuity they find a way to slip the tightening noose. Finding themselves in port they decide to stowaway on a ship heading up the coast. But things do not go exactly to plan. And a storm tossed sea causes the biggest problems they have encountered yet.
The brother and sister have a close encounter and even conversation with the FBI agent who put their father way. They are determined to find the evidence to clear their parents’ names. No matter the risks, or trials they face. To find out what happens to the duo you will need to read this excellent instalment in the series.
This story had some serious risk, and a few close calls, and even being afloat at high sea. It is another great offering in a wonderful series! This story and series is darker than many of Korman’s offerings. The pace is break neck. The characters are very well written. You will find yourself cheering for Aiden and Meg again and again. It is a story young readers will latch onto and be desperate to know what happens next! Another masterful story from Korman’s skilful pen!
A few years ago in the summer of 2022, Korman published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read over 45 of his books. I am starting to make a serious dent in his canon, with each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. My son often reads these books to me or with me. And now my youngest daughter has started reading them. I have been jumping around on different series and from his oldest works to his newest. There are so many great read in the Korman’s collection.
My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in their copy of the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. We listened to this one on a recent road trip. The series consists of:
Chasing the Falconers
The Fugitive Factor
Now You See Them, Now You Don't
The Stowaway Solution
Public Enemies
Hunting the Hunter
The description of this volume is:
“The FBI is after them. So is a killer. Their parents are in jail. And friends are nowhere to be found. Fugitives far from home, Aiden and Meg Falconer only have each other to trust.
But when the chase gets too intense on land and the Falconers stow away on a seabound freighter, things start to fall apart. The crew is suspicious... and a monster storm is on its way. Fate is about to tear Aiden and Meg away from each other - perhaps forever.”
Another is:
“The thrills take to the seas in the latest breakneck-speed adventure from ace storyteller Gordon Korman. Aiden and Meg Falconer are on the hunt for the one man who might be able to free their parents from jail. The hitch? There are plenty of other people on the hunt for THEM, including the FBI and an eerie, hairless killer. After one close call too many, the Falconers find themselves stowed away on a ship -- but the chase doesn't end there. Instead, it moves to close quarters, where every step, every breath, could get them caught.”
Unlike many of Korman’s books the chapters do not have titles, in any of the first four books in the series. The premise of the series, at least from the four volumes reminds me of Conspiracy 365 January by Gabrielle Lord, also from Scholastic but published 5 years after this series. At the end of the volume is no preview of the next instalment, but all 6 volumes published in just over a year.
The intensity in this series just got cranked way up. And it was already pretty high. Meg and Aiden have a close encounter in LA, and find themselves being hunted by every law enforcement office in the area. Using skill, cunning, tips from their father’s mystery books, and their own ingenuity they find a way to slip the tightening noose. Finding themselves in port they decide to stowaway on a ship heading up the coast. But things do not go exactly to plan. And a storm tossed sea causes the biggest problems they have encountered yet.
The brother and sister have a close encounter and even conversation with the FBI agent who put their father way. They are determined to find the evidence to clear their parents’ names. No matter the risks, or trials they face. To find out what happens to the duo you will need to read this excellent instalment in the series.
This story had some serious risk, and a few close calls, and even being afloat at high sea. It is another great offering in a wonderful series! This story and series is darker than many of Korman’s offerings. The pace is break neck. The characters are very well written. You will find yourself cheering for Aiden and Meg again and again. It is a story young readers will latch onto and be desperate to know what happens next! Another masterful story from Korman’s skilful pen!
February 28, 2023
Aiden and Meg are still on the run from everyone now....with a reward offered for their arrest there's no one they can trust. They need to get to Denver to the HOCUS offices but regular travel won't work, it's too public so they get creative. They stowaway on a steamer putting themselves in a precarious position. getting on the ship is hard enough but how will they survive the trip and not be found out? An unfortunate accident has them scurrying to escape. Should they take their chances in the raging seas? Trying to find clues to get their parents out of jail has them making some pretty brave decisions. They're the only ones to help their parents now so they have to do whatever is necessary. This is a harrowing tale of two scared but brave kids struggling to survive when everyone is after them.
July 1, 2025
The fourth installment of the Falconer's adventure is just as good as the others. Fleeing the police, the Falconers stowaway on a ship departing from California. After being separated at sea, Aiden is captured by the police, and Meg has to save him, a reverse of what happened in The Fugitive Factor.
The plot is good, and the idea to have them hide in the ship's water tank was a great move by Korman. Another great chapter in the Falconer's story.
The plot is good, and the idea to have them hide in the ship's water tank was a great move by Korman. Another great chapter in the Falconer's story.
November 26, 2017
This series seems like "The Fugitive" for young teens. Book 4 was not as engrossing as the first three. There is only one mention of Hairless Joe and that is the end. The overall story is not advanced much, other than the Falconers get out of California. We listened to this book on Audible on a road trip and my 8-, 14-, and 17-year old boys enjoyed the story.
April 4, 2019
1. I spent most of this book silently screaming "children no" into my hands. This book was harrowing and I think I'm starting to feel concerned for these characters so yay?
2. Points off for extreme plot conveniences and Harris being an idiot who does not know how to handle a conversation. Come on dude. Still, I suppose he is on his last legs...
2. Points off for extreme plot conveniences and Harris being an idiot who does not know how to handle a conversation. Come on dude. Still, I suppose he is on his last legs...
November 12, 2017
Rereading this series to my kids. Lots of exciting, high action scenes, but very little progress on the overall plot. Hmmm, except I guess the kids do get a chance to talk to their nemesis, J. Edgar Giraffe.
May 9, 2018
This was a good book about the Falconer kids who were stowaways on a boat an were trying to free their parents who got wrongly accused for a life senctance . Would recommend to anyone looking for a good book
March 4, 2019
I swear these kids are insane. How do they do it?
June 10, 2019
4.5
I was so worried meg would leave for Denver with Aidan in the hospital but I loved when she handcuffed agent Harris
I was so worried meg would leave for Denver with Aidan in the hospital but I loved when she handcuffed agent Harris
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2021
I really liked this one - nonstop action. Going to have to see what comes next.
September 11, 2021
I'm 100% sure I've never read this book before. Then why the hell did it feel like I have??
February 10, 2025
What on earth?
How?
What will happen next?
These are the two most determined kids I've ever met.
How?
What will happen next?
These are the two most determined kids I've ever met.
July 25, 2025
LOVE LOVE this series.
October 2, 2025
This was a really good book. the twists from jumping off the boat to hairless Joe at the end, I think this was the best book in the series so far. can't wait to read the rest!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2025
A solid, thrilling continuation in the series!
March 2, 2017
The Stowaway Solution by Gordon Korman is a great book. It has a lot of action and is just as good as the first three. In this book, Meg and Aiden need to get to Denver. They end up taking a boat to get out of California, where they were being hunted. They have to get on the boat by climbing in the cargo and getting out later. They ended up getting found out and jumped into the stormy waters. They both almost died.
In my opinion, this book was a good book with a tremendous amount of adventure. It has a great storyline and doesn't stop surprising me. When they got found on the boat, it really surprised me because they never get found.
I think I can recommend this book to almost anybody. This book is a good read for anyone wanting to have a book involving action. It is a series of books that always keeps me on my seat.
In my opinion, this book was a good book with a tremendous amount of adventure. It has a great storyline and doesn't stop surprising me. When they got found on the boat, it really surprised me because they never get found.
I think I can recommend this book to almost anybody. This book is a good read for anyone wanting to have a book involving action. It is a series of books that always keeps me on my seat.
February 26, 2016
*Spoilers*
LA is crawling with police. Aiden and Meg Falconer, the only hopes for their innocent parents in jail, are searching for evidence to prove their CIA contact Frank Lindenauer was in fact the real traitor. The only way out is being smuggled aboard a ship in empty oil casks. Things are bad enough at first, hiding in a swinging lifeboat and then in the water tank, but things go horribly wrong when they are discovered and caught by the crew. Dare they hope for a miracle?
Knocking out a sailor, they desperately take to the ocean in a raft in the middle of a storm. And then, the unthinkable happens. Aiden and Meg are separated. She's knocked out aboard the raft and he's tossing around in the ocean in a life jacket.
Rowing to shore is the most physically exhausting thing Meg's done. Waiting and searching for her brother for 2 days, then being forced to continue on without him is the emotionally hardest thing she's done. That's why she's electrified when she sees on a TV broadcast that he's alive! Aiden was picked up barely conscious and taken to a nearby hospital, and that's where Meg's going.
Guarding Aiden is FBI Agent Harris, the man responsible for the Falconer parents' capture. But now he's doubting whether he captured the right people. And now he really wants to help these kids. Aiden, who's had his parents dragged away, been through months of guard at a juvenile facility, and endured terrifying weeks of fleeing and evading the long arm of the law with his sister, isn't convinced.
Neither is Meg. Staging a bike accident, she gets into the same hospital as Aiden and frees him. Agent Harris' handcuffs come in handy to restrain him, his cellphone comes in handy to throw the police onto a different track so they can escape, and his car comes in handy to escape in. The little seaside town doesn't have the manpower to pursue effectively, and the Falconers live another day in freedom. Miracles truly do happen.
LA is crawling with police. Aiden and Meg Falconer, the only hopes for their innocent parents in jail, are searching for evidence to prove their CIA contact Frank Lindenauer was in fact the real traitor. The only way out is being smuggled aboard a ship in empty oil casks. Things are bad enough at first, hiding in a swinging lifeboat and then in the water tank, but things go horribly wrong when they are discovered and caught by the crew. Dare they hope for a miracle?
Knocking out a sailor, they desperately take to the ocean in a raft in the middle of a storm. And then, the unthinkable happens. Aiden and Meg are separated. She's knocked out aboard the raft and he's tossing around in the ocean in a life jacket.
Rowing to shore is the most physically exhausting thing Meg's done. Waiting and searching for her brother for 2 days, then being forced to continue on without him is the emotionally hardest thing she's done. That's why she's electrified when she sees on a TV broadcast that he's alive! Aiden was picked up barely conscious and taken to a nearby hospital, and that's where Meg's going.
Guarding Aiden is FBI Agent Harris, the man responsible for the Falconer parents' capture. But now he's doubting whether he captured the right people. And now he really wants to help these kids. Aiden, who's had his parents dragged away, been through months of guard at a juvenile facility, and endured terrifying weeks of fleeing and evading the long arm of the law with his sister, isn't convinced.
Neither is Meg. Staging a bike accident, she gets into the same hospital as Aiden and frees him. Agent Harris' handcuffs come in handy to restrain him, his cellphone comes in handy to throw the police onto a different track so they can escape, and his car comes in handy to escape in. The little seaside town doesn't have the manpower to pursue effectively, and the Falconers live another day in freedom. Miracles truly do happen.
August 28, 2017
Amazing story! Two adventurous kids running out in the whole United States trying to. Surviving to save their innocent parents from jail
April 23, 2013
I read on the run book #4: The Stowaway Solution By Gordon Korman. It was a GREAT book! Starting off where t he last book left off when they are running from FBI, Hairless Joe, and the cops from many counties. This is where they left off. I highly recommend that you read the first 3 books if you want to get anything out of this review.
Aiden and Meg are trying to get to Denver to get to HORUS where Frank Lindeneur worked before disappearing. The only way that they can find to get there is by stowing away on the ocean freight The Samantha D. That is all that I will tell you about the beginning cause I don’t want to spoil it.
My favorite character in this book is Meg because she is stuck on her own and has to think and move for herself. Since Aiden and her split up she is left with no comfort but the people around here that could recognize her at any time which makes her constantly on edge.
My favorite part in this book is when Aiden is in restraints in the hospital while Agent Emmanual Harris is sleeping on the job. Meg finally found Aiden after searching for hours and has to move quickly. She then grabs Harris’s cuffs out of his pocket and clamp them onto the room heater. When she does this she has slick moves and slips out his phone also.
I really look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series it really is a good one. I can’t wait to write a review on the next book. By: Dylan Unruh
Aiden and Meg are trying to get to Denver to get to HORUS where Frank Lindeneur worked before disappearing. The only way that they can find to get there is by stowing away on the ocean freight The Samantha D. That is all that I will tell you about the beginning cause I don’t want to spoil it.
My favorite character in this book is Meg because she is stuck on her own and has to think and move for herself. Since Aiden and her split up she is left with no comfort but the people around here that could recognize her at any time which makes her constantly on edge.
My favorite part in this book is when Aiden is in restraints in the hospital while Agent Emmanual Harris is sleeping on the job. Meg finally found Aiden after searching for hours and has to move quickly. She then grabs Harris’s cuffs out of his pocket and clamp them onto the room heater. When she does this she has slick moves and slips out his phone also.
I really look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series it really is a good one. I can’t wait to write a review on the next book. By: Dylan Unruh
March 19, 2011
The previous two books in this series established the status quo, so to speak. The kids search for information to prove their parents' innocence. They get spotted and chased, but avoid capture, and then resume their search for information. Sometimes they end up having to live in another makeshift temporarily living arrangement, before eventually leaving and finding another place to stay. And that's basically the plot flow of books two and three.
But this one shakes things up considerably. For one, a large chunk of the story takes place on a ship, keeping the location specific and constant instead of constantly changing. (Oh, it does change later, believe me) Also, Aiden and Meg are not so lucky this time around. They do get caught, and recognized no less. There's a whole new layer of tension when the established "rules" of the series, such as their consistent luck, seems to run out.
That makes this an even more compelling read. Truth be told, I was starting to tire a little of the breakneck pace and constant close calls in the third book, but here, shaking up the formula was the best thing Gordon Korman did.
This book also has the most epic escape scene to date.
But this one shakes things up considerably. For one, a large chunk of the story takes place on a ship, keeping the location specific and constant instead of constantly changing. (Oh, it does change later, believe me) Also, Aiden and Meg are not so lucky this time around. They do get caught, and recognized no less. There's a whole new layer of tension when the established "rules" of the series, such as their consistent luck, seems to run out.
That makes this an even more compelling read. Truth be told, I was starting to tire a little of the breakneck pace and constant close calls in the third book, but here, shaking up the formula was the best thing Gordon Korman did.
This book also has the most epic escape scene to date.
April 9, 2010
This is the fourth book of a long adventurous series. Each book has it's own twists and turns in one big story. The Falconers are chased by a hit man and the cops. Also they are trying to find a man by the name of Frank Lindenauer.
A connection I can make is between the two Falconers to Holden Caulfield from the Catcher In The Rye. They both runaway for what they believe. They are out on the streets alone. This is a text to text connection because it is between two books.
I thought this book was fun to guess what would happen and make predictions because it left you in suspence. I gave it three stars because it's corny sometimes. Also sometimes the book makes the characters seem a little unbelievable with their lines at times. I would reccomend this to people who like crime dramas and books by Gordan Korman.
March 1, 2014
This is the fourth book of a long adventurous series. Each book has it's own twists and turns in one big story. The Falconers are chased by a hit man and the cops. Also they are trying to find a man by the name of Frank Lindenauer.
A connection I can make is between the two Falconers to Holden Caulfield from the Catcher In The Rye. They both runaway for what they believe. They are out on the streets alone. This is a text to text connection because it is between two books.
I thought this book was fun to guess what would happen and make predictions because it left you in suspence. I gave it three stars because it's corny sometimes. Also sometimes the book makes the characters seem a little unbelievable with their lines at times. I would reccomend this to people who like crime dramas and books by Gordan Korman
A connection I can make is between the two Falconers to Holden Caulfield from the Catcher In The Rye. They both runaway for what they believe. They are out on the streets alone. This is a text to text connection because it is between two books.
I thought this book was fun to guess what would happen and make predictions because it left you in suspence. I gave it three stars because it's corny sometimes. Also sometimes the book makes the characters seem a little unbelievable with their lines at times. I would reccomend this to people who like crime dramas and books by Gordan Korman
December 6, 2011
This book was all right. I did not like how book 2 had an ending chapter that left you wondering about book 4 but it turned out book 4 wasn't the amazing book that you were expecting. And I didn't really like the idea about a stowaway because they just walked right on the boat, hid in a bucket, then jumped off. In real life, it's pretty much impossible to do that then jump off and survive in the freezing cold ocean! Other then that, I gave it 3 stars because it drew a great picture in your head about what was happening.
September 20, 2009
I'm not sure if I've had enough of this series and it should be over with by now or this story wasn't written as great as the first three books, because I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others. I'm felt when I read this book that this story is really being prolonged and just get it over with already. I'm really hoping I still don't feel this way, because I still have book five and book six to read. I don't feel a "rush" to pick up the next book and continue the series.
March 9, 2012
Aiden and Meg find out that Frank Lindenauer actually did not work for the CIA, however, thaey still need to find him. The only clue they have is that he might be in Denver...
Stowing away on a boat, Aiden and Meg try to belnd in with the crew, but in a matter of seconds, they are captured, and are soon sperated...
The two, while trying to find each other, quickly get ready to find their "Uncle"...
Stowing away on a boat, Aiden and Meg try to belnd in with the crew, but in a matter of seconds, they are captured, and are soon sperated...
The two, while trying to find each other, quickly get ready to find their "Uncle"...
March 4, 2013
I thought this book was alright. I liked the other books better. This book has the same reason as the other books and that is Aiden and Meg want to prove that their parents are innocent. Aiden and Meg get on a ship because they were running away from the cops. They end up staying on the ship until something happens. Aiden and Meg are doing anything they can to not get caught. They are having quite an adventure, so you will have to read the book because I don't want to spoil anything.
March 18, 2013
The stowaway solution. Book number four. Very good hiding spot, bad placement. Aiden and Meg stow away in empty oil barrels on a ship to be shipped out of the state. when they are placed on the boat, they find out that Aiden has been places on the top palate where he can get out and move freely. on the other hand, Meg has been placed on the 2nd palate to the bottom and has no way to move or get out of her barrel. read on and find out what happens.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews