The Runner (The Tillerman Cycle Book 4)

This novel (a prequel to Homecoming) may be one of the very best revelations of why it is that so many gifted young people simply cannot see beyond their (mostly imagined) limitations and end up so badly. Although the central character, Bullet, is not very sympathetic at the beginning of the novel, painfully he changes and engages the reader. Yet, in spite of his gained insights and his talents and opportunities, they are not enough to save him.A stunner of a book, especially for adolescents. I simply cannot imagine why this book has not been reviewed (and enthusiastically) before now; it is well written to a fault, economical in style, true and poignant. I have taught it to many young people, none of whom have failed to be moved by it. One of Voigt's absolute best. You will not regret buying and reading it, and my bet is that you will then try to turn other people on to it. Never trust anyone who says, "Trust me", but trust me on this.

I read (and loved) the entire Tillerman Series Novels when I was in junior high. This year, I decided to read them again, and I'm so glad I did. I feel like I have a completely new appreciation for the books as an adult. Cynthia Voigt does an incredible job of truly letting the reader in to the emotions of the characters. It's also very unique how each book in the series doesn't necessarily go in order of time. She takes you into the lives of characters who are related to the Tillerman children, and then you see how their lives intertwine. She is building a much bigger story, with a unique look inside many different characters. These books are truly fantastic literature. I highly recommend them to junior high students and adults alike.

"The Runner" once again keeps you riveted to each page until the end! A continuing story of theamazing Tillerman family, it stands alone as a wonderful story, or is even better when it's read in continuation of the seven book Tillerman saga. It reminds us all of when we were young, how important it is to be yourself at all costs, and to fight for all you are worth to be who you are.I am 67 years old, and have recently discovered the writings of Cynthia Voight. I know these books are listed 'for young people' but they transcend all ages! It would be a shame if only children read these incredible books, The Runner included! Gail James

This is a powerful book, for readers of any age. The protagonist is a teenager from an incredibly dysfunctional family. His father and mother and the hero are incredibly strong willed and steely. Unfortunately, the parents are red-neck farmers, the father proudly racist and anti-social, the mother determined to stand by her man, bitterly and joylessly, since he is her husband, and the son icily detached from everything except his drive to channel his control over his own body. This is set in an era in American history where racial prejudice was accepted fact (i.e. not that long ago), and the author does not whitewash that at all. Very rare in contemporary fiction.

This is a great book. It is important in the continuing saga of the Tillerman series. The story focus is on Bullet, the younger son of John and Grandma Tillerman. It tells the ongoing struggle between Bullet and his cruel and overbearing father, as Bullet seeks his independence and becomes the young man he is meant to be It highlights the plight of Grandma Tillerman to not take sides against her husband and creates a clear background to previous Tillerman series books that shed light on her character as she appears as the stubborn, eccentric woman who takes in her grandchildren in the previous book "The Homecoming."

I read the Tillerman series when I was a girl, but recently bought them for Kindle to read with my daughter. I forgot how real they are, how unapologetic. The characters are so real, so honest and true. They are fully flawed, and beautiful because of their flaws. I am so happy to have rediscovered this series.

Although I didn’t enjoy some of the subject matter & undertones, it’s a good read and a good story to go along with the rest of the series. Really ties things together.

Hoi!!!!!!!!!!!! ThIs Is A GoOd BoOk, If I Do SaY So MySeLf. ReAdInG ThIs BoOk wOuLd Be A GoOd IdEa FoR ScHoOl.

I read this and number 7 in the series as the orders didn't arrive as expected. Bit I really enjoyed them evenso.

Have been reading Cynthia Voight all my life. Excellent.Great to read them again. She really knows her teenagers in the 60's.

A book I re-read every few years

Having read the Dicey, James, Sam stories first, I found this one a bit more challenging ... perhaps because it reflects an era in which I was still a growing child, and I cannot empathize with the parents, where I can with the grandmother in the later books. That aside, Voigt is an excellent story-teller and her writing skills manage to hold this reader's interest throughout her narrative, difficult though its theme is.

This is one of my favorite novels. Initially I had a hard time reading it when I was in grade 7 or 8, but I decided to give it a second go that year and ended up really enjoying the book. It was darker than most books I had read up to that point. I recently bought it for my kids book collection, and my daughters have been passing around the Cynthia Voigt books as they read them. I had to really search online to find the whole set, and in the end I settled for a few gently used copies. She's a fantastic author that must have lived through these things in her own life to write so realistically about them.