RUNNER, THE

Rating:
Summary: If you liked Catcher in The Rye...
Review: Alright, the stories are wildly dissimilar, but Cynthia Voigt's style of writing in this book reminded me strongly of Salingers in Catcher. At the same time, it is inarguably her OWN style, and she works it beautifully. I don't know what else to say, other than reconmending her other books - all of them, especially Homecoming - and asking why is she not recognised as one of America's greatest writers. These things truly seems half dumb-luck quite often. Perhaps the critics need to explore young adult literature a bit more? I suppose with the His Dark Materials trilogy being nominated for the Booker, people might start to take some notice of this genre. I certainly hope so.

Rating:
Summary: Slow but meaningful
Review: At first I had a bit of trouble getting into the book. I had read Dicey's song and loved it so I wanted to read the rest of the Tillerman series. At one point I thought of giving up since it seemed like Bullet veiws of life were too angery and I couldn't relate, at other times I also questioned my interest in the story being told. I however kept going and I really liked the second half. It was nice how Bullet had to go through and rediscover himself! He had to ask himself is this really what I believe? In this way I believe Bullet matured and came to a better understanding about life and his values. I also enjoyed him going past the prejustice to find the person(Tamer). Read the book if you want to know what I am talking about!

Rating:
Summary: the runner that listens to no one
Review: Bullet is a runner on the school track team. Infact, he's the best runner of them all. He doesn't give in to anyone's orders. Not his father or his coach. When Bullet is asked to train Tamer Shipp, he says no. Later, he befriends him. Back home, his father always tries to box him in and Bullet's mother is also boxed in by his father. Bullet has tried ways to jump out. And now he's finally 18. Bullet decides to drop out of school to go to war leaving his mother with a red boat and 100 dollars.

Rating:
Summary: One of the finest books ever written
Review: Cynthia Voigt is one of the best writers we have today; the only reason she hasn't won Pulitzers and National Book Awards is that she writes for young adults, and most critics can't imagine any writer for that audience producing anything of literary merit. "The Runner" is the book I'd show anybody who ever put down young adult novels. By Cynthia Voigt's own estimation, "The Runner" is her best novel. She's right. I first read the novel five years ago; since then, I've taught it almost thirty times in that period of time, and it just keeps getting better. Every semester, some student points out some corner of the novel I'd missed. "The Runner" tackles serious subjects in a serious way: racism, war, growing up, friendship, principles, parental conflicts. Each and every one of these issues is dealt with thoroughly and seamlessly in the life of Bullet Tillerman, Dicey's uncle. My students love the rebellious Bullet; they are aghast when they realize he's a racist. They read with absolute fascination to find out what happens next. The novel's cast of characters are unique and original: Bullet's father and mother, his best friend Patrice, and his teammate Tamer are unforgettable. This is a novel that I think will come to be remembered as the best novel ever written for young adults, but even more, one of the finest novels of the last 50 years.

Rating:
Summary: Runner
Review: He was a runner.He was running because he liked to run.He has a brother and sister who ran away from home and from their father who tried to "box them in" .His brother left an old boat,and his sister left an old dog.This family was going threw a lot of stuff,they were fighting every day.The Runner hated his father and he didn't understand his father "boxing in"everybody.
I kind of like this book,but I think this book is very sad,but I think everybody needs to read this to understand more of life.

Rating:
Summary: Among the best books I've read
Review: I have read many many books by Ms. Voigt. She is a very complex writer. It's obvious that she's experienced some of the things she writes about herself. She doesn't write with the viewpoint of many authors, treating kids like they have more to learn. Her main characters are almost always kids, and she simply tells things through the character's eyes, not her own eyes. I love this book, and all the others. However, I suggest reading Homecoming, Dicey's Song, and A Solitary Blue before taking on this one.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE IT!
Review: I have read many many books by Ms. Voigt. She is a very complex writer. It's obvious that she's experienced some of the things she writes about herself. She doesn't write with the viewpoint of many authors, treating kids like they have more to learn. Her main characters are almost always kids, and she simply tells things through the character's eyes, not her own eyes. I love this book, and all the others. However, I suggest reading Homecoming, Dicey's Song, and A Solitary Blue before taking on this one.

Rating:
Summary: the book
Review: i thought it was a good book and it was educational book i could not put the book down but the end was pretty different so i would not read it again so yeah

Rating:
Summary: Boy, oh boy
Review: The first thing that came to mind when I read this book was that Voigt certainly has an unusual style. Voigt does have a knack of creating strong, addictive plots, and of course providing the unique, unforgettable characters to see the plot through. But till now, Voigt's most complex and unique character lies in "The Runner" -- Samuel / Bullet Tillerman. Reading about him sends you into a whirl. Bullet is a strong-willed, stubborn and hot-headed youth. He lives by his own rules , and that includes his domineering father, his prejudices towards the 'coloured' community,his love for cross-country running, and even his opinions towards the draft (This story was set at the time of the Vietnam Civil War). Having a mind of his own, Bullet finds himself really different, in his opinions and his thinking , and in the way he behaves. It's really simple, Bullet lives his life the way he wants to , and nobody can stop him. Nobody can make that change. Voigt's bold descriptions flesh out the characters in this book perfectly, especially Bullet. Voigt also tells this tale in a wildly original way. She sets her opinions down in this book, and argues about them at the same time. She pretty much covers up all the aspects of the issues she tackles in this book, which include family ties, teenage rebellion, racism, politics and war. In a way, she's arguing with the readers, challenging them to think, to look at matters in a different light. Voigt really understands young adults, I'll give her that much. This book has a tangy and refreshing aftertaste, and it is a must-read for all young adults and all parents who really want to understand their kids. "The Runner" is wonderfully entertaining, making education through this book outrageously fun. Trust me, Voigt only produces books of the finest quality.

Rating:
Summary: Boy, oh boy
Review: This is a wonderful book. Voigt skillfully balances themes of family tension, race relations, love and loss and death, separation and reconciliation in the story of Bullet's life. I highly recommend it, with or without the other Tillerman books.