Runt: Story of a Boy

by V.M. Caldwell

When Runt's mother dies, he’s sent to live with his older sister Helen, whom he hasn’t seen in years, not since she ran away. Avoiding the dreary trailer he now shares with Helen and her creepy boyfriend Cole, Runt spends his days rambling around his new town, especially the local cemetery. There he meets Mitch, a precocious boy in a wheelchair who’s battling cancer. The two lonely boys become fast friends, but as their friendship deepens, each faces a powerful crisis. As Runt and Mitch struggle with the harsh realities of poverty, abuse, and illness, each looks to the other for comfort and courage. Then, Helen’s problems complicate things even further. Can Runt help them both, and himself, too? The empathy, insight, and finely drawn characters seen in V. M. Caldwell’s first two novels are in full view in this moving story of a young boy’s attempts to create a better life for himself and those around him.

Genres: Young Adult

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 20, 2006

Reviews

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first several chapters flat and uncolored - then just as I was going to toss it became a story. Perhaps a fifth or sixth grade read. Should definitely be on someones summer reading list. Robert loses everything when his mother dies and he must go live with his sister and her boyfriend. He meets someone while visiting a graveyard. When they finally become best of friends Roberts loses everything all over again. Basically a story of how when one door closes another door opens - but sometimes we stare to long at the closed door we do not notice the open one. If not for the first colorless chapters it would have gotten four stars from me.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very few books have ever made me cry, and this one can be added to that list.

[Lexine · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first the story was flat and kinda boring, but when runt finally met mitch his life will turn out to be just fine. Mitch has cancer, and the last thing he wants is to live his life to the fullest. Upon meeting runt, mitch discovered that runt and his sister helen are just living on there own. So when mitch died, of course he lost his only friend and it is very sad. This is about lost and courage, helen has the courage to take care of runt though she's only 19 yrs old. Hope is also given here, when mitch's parents ask them to live with them. This is a inspiring novel for me, a good story about how to hold on tight for hope and to be a courageous person. A must read ;D

[SJane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and managed to get through it without crying (which is a feat, considering the content matter), but still moved by the beauty of the relationships and tragedy. Would definitely recommend it to the right student! And it introduced me to Milkweed Editions who publishes books for youth focusing on social justice issues. Sweet!

[Michelle Stimpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment I read the back of this book, I knew where it was going and I promised myself I wouldn't cry. It is to the credit of this book that I sobbed like a baby at the end and not for the reasons that I thought I would. Although the plot was predictable, the emotion of this book wasn't. It got better and better as it went on and I wished it hadn't ended.

[Marie Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one hard-to-put-down book...well written and engaging. Perhaps I was more open to it, since I had a best friend die this year to cancer, but I have a feeling it touches just about everyone. The ending was predictable, but it still worked well. A GOOD!!! read.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story of a young boy with a lot of problems who becomes friends with another boy with even more problems. Young adult reading... deals with cancer, death & healing after losing family and friends.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh god when i read this is was without a doubt such a good book i love it because it reminds me of someone i use to know anyway it had me in tears in the middle of it it was without a doubt very good ;)

[Bria]

I've never read any of Caldwell's books before but I must say, I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It was short and easy to get through. The beginning was a little, I will admit, but as I got into it, I really couldn't put it down.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit cliched and predictable, but it was cute.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a boy. A boy who loses everything and beats the odds to get everything back again. Plus more. Central themes are death and poverty.

[Hailey Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

well i liked it but it waz kinda sad in some places

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like the way the author wrote this book. I liked what the story was about though.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. I think it's a cute story. Have fun reading it!

[Darren Pagaduan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very remarkable story of friendship and life :)