“Runner,” by Carl Deuker

Book Cover of Runner by Carl Deuker
“Runner,” by Carl Deuker is a young adult novel about a boy who becomes involved in an illegal smuggling ring.
Chance Taylor and his father live on a battered sailboat docked at the local marina. Because his father’s alcoholism keeps him jobless Chance must worry about money in ways that most kids don’t. Chance is ashamed of his poverty and constantly worried about where the grocery money and dock fees will come from. Then a mysterious person offers Chance a job.
“You‘re in trouble, and I can get you out of that trouble. I‘m offering you a job, kid. Very good pay, very short hours. When somebody offers you easy money, you should at least hear him out.”
All Chance has to do is pick up small packages and deliver them to another place where the man can pick them up. Chance knows that he’s probably doing something illegal, helping to smuggle drugs or something else illegal, but he is desperate for the money.
Then Chance’s job takes a deadly turn and it seems that he may not be able to get out of it alive…
“Runner,” by Carl Deuker explores themes of poverty, smuggling, and terrorism. It offers an in-depth look into the life of a young boy who gets involved in illegal activity because he needs money.
I think that Carl Deuker did a good job writing “Runner” because the characters are very well thought out.  Their realistic emotions, fears, and strengths add much to the plot.  I definitely recommend “Runner” by Carl Deuker as a thrilling read with an important lesson behind it.
Inkweaver Review Rating:
★★★Plot
★★★Characters
★★★Presentation
★★★Overall
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Your Rating:
Inkweaver Review 2008-05-18T14:19:00-05:00

139 replies so far. What are your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

what are the characters and their descriptions in the book "runner"?

NathanKP said...

As I listed in the review, the main characters are:

Chance - The young boy who wants money,

Chance's father - An alcoholic who can't get or keep a job,

A mysterious man who offers Chance a job-a job that involves doing something illegal.

Anonymous said...

Where can I read this book online?

NathanKP said...

If you want to read "Runner" by Carl Deuker online I would start with the Google Books version.

Anonymous said...

lalala
i didnt like the book runner very much

Anonymous said...

what?! i liked this book.

Anonymous said...

runner is cool as ice

Anonymous said...

It's a great book, due to the fact that it deals with emotional insights that a kid his age would normally never feel. Runner is a great book for those looking for an emotional read with some bits of action.

NathanKP said...

Thanks for the intelligent comment. I agree that the emotional aspects of "Runner" add great depth to the story.

Nathan

Anonymous said...

good book nice plot

Anonymous said...

carl deuker could do better

Anonymous said...

Chance Taylor
Jack Taylor
Mrs. Taylor
Kim Lawton
Melissa Watts
Mr. Arnold
Charles Burdett
Brent Miller
Mr. Miller

NathanKP said...

Very nice list of the all the characters that play a role in "Runner". Thank you very much.

Anonymous said...

what is the setting?

Anonymous said...

what is the major connflict?

NathanKP said...

The setting is a town on the coast. You'll have to read the book to get the exact name. The conflict is Chance having to decide whether he should take a potentially illegal job to support his family and make money since his alcoholic father was fired again, or whether he should decline the job.

Anonymous said...

Could anyone post the main events of Runner i cant decide if Brent Miller has a significant part to mention. Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

And what is then ending of Runner?

Anonymous said...

What is the town that the book takes place in?

Anonymous said...

im reading it now i would recomend it just got it all most all the way done 2 hors into it almost half way done good stor good plot its in seattle kid

Anonymous said...

who is kim lawton and charles burdett in the book

Anonymous said...

what is the main conflict?

Anonymous said...

When does this book take place (time wise)

Anonymous said...

this book was cool

Anonymous said...

kim Lawton is Chance's mom's sister and Charles Burdett is the man who offers Chance the job.

Anonymous said...

Ok so i was reading this awesome book Runner but i had a few Q's. What are the conflicts i think theres more than one. but im not sure

Anonymous said...

kk so im not getting a responce... im in grade um i have to go to bed soon! PLZ!!!! hel[ e #$@^^%$*()&^&*()*&%(^&(&(%^&AND #$%(_&*%^

Anonymous said...

bout to start readin it... any suggestions?


<~Reez_Man~>

Anonymous said...

WHAT PART IS FUNNY OR SAD IN THIS BOOK

Anonymous said...

Runner is a good book.
If you are anything like me and you look at the cover and think the book is boring.
It is actually interesting. It makes you think about others and if it can actually happen to you.

Clayton Monroe said...

The setting is Seattle, for whoever asked. I found that this book was very good. I'm a freshman in high school and football is my life, but I had to read this book for a project and I usually hate reading. I ended p liking it a lot

-Clayton Monroe

Anonymous said...

Who are the supporting characters?????!!!!!!?????

Anonymous said...

This was a good book! Sad ending though.... I'm doing a book report on it right now =D

Anonymous said...

Ok im 15, live in seattle and i love this book. it is a great read with a lexile of about 610 i belive. the problem is that the boy chance is offered a job and he becomes a drug RUNNER bringing these mysteryous packages with drugs or gems in them. so if that answers your Q than your welcome.. exuse my spelling :D

Anonymous said...

this book was really good and i suggest it to all teens who enjoy action packed stories

Anonymous said...

This was a very good book. I don't read alot but this book kinda got me started again. I'm 14 and I have to say if you wanna do a report on a book and can't find one choose this book.

Anonymous said...

I loved this book so much....I cryed at the end, because I trying to imagine myself in his situation (when the boat explodes and his father dies. :(

Anonymous said...

Really Good Book

Anonymous said...

AWESOME BOOK!!!!

Anonymous said...

who is charles burdett in this book ?

Anonymous said...

I read the book and i loved it. It is one of those books that has just the right amount of suspense and action that a book like this should have.

Anonymous said...

how many pages is it?

Anonymous said...

this book is super interesting and it teaches people good lesson's

Anonymous said...

At the end chances dad gets blowen up and dies trying to stop the terroist from killing thosands of people hahaha I love doing this to people lol

Anonymous said...

i never finished reading this book... its good so far i guess.. but idk wat inspired the author.. =\ any1 kno (i try'd google and bing)

Anonymous said...

okay i just finished this book and im doing a book project on it that is due tomorrow.WHAT IS THE THEME??????

Anonymous said...

i LOVE this book!!! it was AWSOME!!!!




by marcus wild

Anonymous said...

I cried at the end when his father died!! :(


by marcus wild

Anonymous said...

how is Chances relationship with his father at the beginning of the story , the middle and the end and how does the relationship change and what caused the change?

Anonymous said...

what is the setting of the book

Anonymous said...

can anyone tell me the main events? and characterr listt with description pleaseee?

Anonymous said...

I just finished reading this book and it was great. I finished it quickly because I was hooked onto it(: Can someone please tell me what the author's message is? I can't seem to identify it. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

How many pages does this book have? I've read it before but I forgot! Please answer this question so I can recommend it! Great book by the wayy!!

DeYdLo said...

this book is soooooo cool i havent finished it but by reading the comments i figured out the dad died! :(

Anonymous said...

Who is Charles Burdett and Mr Arnold?

Anonymous said...

this book rocked i loved it now i have to write a letter to the writer

Anonymous said...

What are som flashbacks in this story?

Anonymous said...

Charles burdett is the fat mysterious man who offers Chance a job.

Anonymous said...

i hope that answers your question your welcome

Anonymous said...

this book was good i like it a lot for a 12 year old dong this for a book review.

Anonymous said...

what are the main events in the book, Runner?

Anonymous said...

and what is the conclusion??? pleaseee help!!!!!

Anonymous said...

there are 224 pages

Anonymous said...

His dad dies

Anonymous said...

i absolutely loved this book. end of story

Anonymous said...

who blows up the boat? and why do they do it?

Anonymous said...

-I'm reading this book for a school project &ndd it's pretty good:) It was kind of slow in Part 1 but as soon as we started reading Part 2 it gets better. I actually like this book.:)

Anonymous said...

This book would be realistic fiction, right??

Unknown said...

I have just read the book and loved it! does anyone know if there is a movie based on the book?

amanda said...

i have an asisgnment for school and i hate reading, i have this book,can anyone helpme with short, 3-4 sentence chapter summaries? thanks

Anonymous said...

i loved this book and im doing it for my school project

rachel said...

can somebody tell me in the events is brent miller included

sydney said...

yey runner i love this book

stacy said...

im doing it for my school project too

sydney said...

you finally did what i told you stacy hahahah

stacy said...

i know thanks hahaha

rachel said...

u guys are stupid, forget about me

sydney said...

oh hi rachel i didn't know u were doing runner too u told us u weren't

rachel said...

i changed my mind

sydney said...

kkkkkkk

stacy said...

she changed her mind cuz runner is a great book or probably one of the best book

Anonymous said...

What is the time & place of this book?

Anonymous said...

I LUVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV this book I finished it in 2 days and read it over for my book report I'm 11 and hav an test we kno nothin about tomorrow ughhhhhhhh middle skool.

Anonymous said...

What is the plot of this story?

Anonymous said...

Can some please tell me the main events about the book runner!

Anonymous said...

can someone describe chance and his dad mentally emotionally and physically?

Anonymous said...

i read this book when i was in 8th grade and i loved it. that is 1 of the 1000000 books i actually finished

Anonymous said...

this book is tooo long dont read it

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was suspensful but yet emotional in a way. I absolutely loved it.

Anonymous said...

I really liked this book, now I am doing a 2 page letter to the author for school. Its due tomorrow and I am out of ideas, I just have to say stuff that I liked about the book and how the book relates to stuff.

Anonymous said...

Facebook page of chance Taylor: Please go like it Thank You.. PS. This is a school assignment!

Anonymous said...

what the h happens with his dad, i know he dies but seriously can someone PLEASE expplain like how it happens and everything!!?????? pwease!

Anonymous said...

whata the name of chances father

Anonymous said...

can anyone name important events in the book

Anonymous said...

can someone please tell me the theme and point of view of the story! i need it ASAP!

Anonymous said...

This book was very interesting and emotional. People really should read this book

Anonymous said...

What is the point of making this book?! :D
:P
:)
:o

Anonymous said...

GREAT BOOK

Anonymous said...

What is the setting of this book? The when and where?

brittany said...

this is a really good book i am 13 years old and i just got this book testerday and i am almost finished with it at frist i thought it was ok but the more i read the more interesting it got the book is based on things that happens sometimes at my school and its not cool haveing people bullying you around i was onced bullied but they stoped when i saved one of them from a car that was coming there way

brittany said...

i meant yesterday sorry

Anonymous said...

How was the conflict resolved?

Luke W said...

I absolutely loved this book. Anyone who wants a great story that'll truly strike your heart, and shed a tear at the end...read this. Phenomenal!

Anonymous said...

what is the name of the mystrious man?

Anonymous said...

DO you like To do it hard? :)

Anonymous said...

Who is the publisher

Anonymous said...

What is the 4 conflicts in the story ex. man vs man, man vs.self.. and so on?

Anonymous said...

"Runner" is a full of excitement and foreshadowing knowing what going to happen next

Anonymous said...

All i need to know is that what happened to Chance mother?

Anonymous said...

what does chance look like in the story?... idk why but i picture him as a brunette with brown eyes, tall and slim, and his hair is inda long.... either that or he has a buzz cut...

Anonymous said...

What is Melissa Watt's Motivation?

I need this for a book report and Im really having trouble with it.

Vinnie said...

I only read the first 4 chapters and its pretty good so far...

Anonymous said...

Need to know Quotes in the Runner

Anonymous said...

Alright I am doing this for a book for a book report cause it would be an easy A cause we read it in class. I'm in either grade and I was wondering what would be a "Foreshadowing" event?

jboy flex said...

what is the main idea and what kind of conflict type is it

Anonymous said...

What is the fat guys name

Anonymous said...

im a senior in highschool and doing this as a project because its the last book i read ha

HAHA said...

HIS NAME FRIST WAS JACK

Anonymous said...

omg i love this book so much though? i read it forever ago and i still love it.

Anonymous said...

i thought this was a great book. i was able to connect with Chance, Carl Deuker did a great job by putting a picture in my head with every scene.

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Anonymous said...

short summary that doesn't give anything away

Anonymous said...

What is Melissas fathers name? Im writing an essay for school and I forget... please respond.

Thanks :)

-Madison, Ohio

Brandon Gardner said...

This book is straight trash, degrades the American way of capitalism.

Anonymous said...

swag

Anonymous said...

What is the plot of this story

Unknown said...

what is his dads name????????

Anonymous said...

I loved this book and I had red it when I was in second grsde and for summer reading for my second book every year sence then I red this book and my teachers ask me why do you keep on reading this book arnt you sick of it and I said nope I love this book do much and it will always be my faviort book.

Anonymous said...

Can Some one give me some thoughts on what you believe the theme of runner is ?

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

This book can teach you a lesson about doing illegal things

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Anonymous said...

she divorced Chance's dad and left Change with him and she never came back