Runner by Carl Deuker

Runner

Author: Carl Deuker

Appropriate for Ages: 12+

Number of Pages:

Lexile:

Bean's Rating: Pinto Bean

Summary

Ever since his mother ran off Chance Taylor has had to pay the bills: for the rent, electricity, groceries, and even for his drunk dad's beer. Then, suddenly, he's offered a job worth so much money he won't ever have to worry about the bills again. It's easy too: all he has to do is run and pick up packages, but now he's got a lot more to worry about. Chance is involved in a smuggling operation. What's he smuggling? Even his boss doesn't know, but after the man drives off a hill, Chance realizes he's involved in something a lot more dangerous than drugs. Now it's up to him and a strong-minded girl named Melissa to discover the secret behind the packages he picks up everyday. In this novel, shrouded by darkness and mystery, "Chance knows how much he will earn but has no idea how much he will pay."

My Thoughts

My dad brought this book home for me when I was bored one afternoon. I was reluctant to read it mostly because the first pages bored me to death. Soon though, I was hooked. The novel tells the story of Chance Taylor, a young boy with a drunk father who gets involved with a smuggling operation to make money. It is a dark book with little surprises and an anti-climactic ending that disgusted me to the core.

Chance is a boy who will do just about anything to pay the bills. Even when he realizes he is in a smuggling circle, he does not tell anyone about the job or quit and this has disastrous consequences. Chance skips school and wastes away on his boat. He is a horrible role model for kids, and doesn't turn around in the end as much as he should have. I did not like Chance's character at all. Even though he does care for people and tries to keep them safe, he ends up risking their lives just by staying with the job. He does stand up for Melissa at one point but ditches her just as easily. I hated Chance's character and he was my least favorite part of the story.

Meanwhile, Melissa is just the opposite. She is a strong woman with a sweet temperament. She cares about her friends and has goals She tries her best everday, gets good grades, and helps everyone around her. She was definitely my favorite character and is rewarded for her good decisions and disposition. I was happy she was in the book, because she was strong and well-rounded and represented girls well.

The worst thing about the story was the ending. **SPOILER** Chance's father dies while protecting himself, all because of Chance's bad choices. That disgusted me, and the book ended on a sour note. I guess I'm just a sucker for the happy ending!:)

This story overall was dissapointing. It had a good plot and was fast paced, but the ending made it not worth the read. I do not reccomend this book.