The Runaways

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Twelve-year-old Dani hates living in the small desert town of Rattler Springs, Nevada, but her plans to run away get complicated when a pesky young boy and an imaginative new girl decide they want to go along.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Zilpha Keatley Snyder was an American author of books for children and young adults. Three of Snyder's works were named Newbery Honor books: The Egypt Game, The Headless Cupid and The Witches of Worm. She was most famous for writing adventure stories and fantasies.

Reviews

[Julianne M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was cute but seemed to drag along in the middle. You just kept waiting and waiting for them to actually run away. I mean, thats the title of the book, isnt it?

[Mish Pre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable kids’ book. Cute story mixed with some humor and heavy topics mixed in. Not sure where I got this book but it’s been in the basement forever and glad to pass this along to a Little Free Library for someone else to read.

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story.

[Karen Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is yet another book from the Children's Library's annual sale, which I grabbed because I like Zilpha Keatley Snyder. I hadn't read this one before so it's always nice to start a new book by a trusted author. I found this one more similar in tone and setting to Cat Running than any of her other books, and not just because they're both historical fiction. As with many of her books, I found myself thinking about the characters after I had finished it. It's not a nonstop action book, but it is a thoughtful book. I know I will reread it at some point in the future.

[Caitlyn S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but dragged a bit in middle. Good over all.

[Deborah Canaday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and warm story of a young girl and her friends learning about life in the desert and their parents.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Sweet story with some interesting character relationships. Not top-tier Snyder but still worth a read if you enjoyed any of her other work.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

1951 Rattler Springs, Nevada, 13 year old Dani hates living in the desert. All she wants to do is go back to Sea Grove where she used to live even if she has to run away to do it. Together with her friend Stormy, Dani plans how they'll manage their escape. Their plans change when new girl Pixie moves into town. When she finds out about their plan to runaway, Pixie insists on being included. But who is she? Why did her scientist family choose to live so far from town? Are they spies? Or are they mad scientists like Dr. Frankenstein?

I'd recommend this story to someone who enjoyed Snyder's "The Egypt Game" or anyone who enjoys realistic fiction.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

gr 5-8

1951 Rattler Springs, Nevada, 13 year old Dani hates living in the desert. All she wants to do is go back to Sea Grove where she used to live even if she has to run away to do it. Together with her friend Stormy, Dani plans how they'll manage their escape. Their plans change when new girl Pixie moves into town. When she finds out about their plan to runaway, Pixie insists on being included. But who is she? Why did her scientist family choose to live so far from town? Are they spies? Or are they mad scientists like Dr. Frankenstein?

I'd recommend this story to someone who enjoyed Snyder's "The Egypt Game" or anyone who enjoys realistic fiction.

[Ashpash · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason why I give this book 3 stars is because of Pixie. At first I thought I wasn't going to like her character but when she stepped on the scene there was just something so entertaining about her. Her compulsive lying was amusing and I liked how mysterious she seemed at first.

SPOILER!
Other than that the book kind of let me down because they never actually run away (they come close) though they talk about it the ENTIRE book.

Anyways it was a nice 'slice-of-life' kind of book=)

[Kathryn McCary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a paint-by-numbers Snyder. Readable, and likely to bring at least some pleasure to her more dedicated fans, but not worth the effort for anyone else.

[Michelle White]

I think this would be good to read because almost every child has though about or actually ran away. Student's would really relate to this. I got it at the IUS Library.

[Ginny Tata-Phillips]

I hope kids are reading Zil's books. This 48-year-old is reading them!