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Woods Runner Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,053 listener ratings
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Samuel, 13, spends his days in the forest, hunting for food for his family. He has grown up on the frontier of a British colony, America. Far from any town, or news of the war against the King that American patriots have begun near Boston.
But the war comes to them. British soldiers and Iroquois attack. Samuel’s parents are taken away, prisoners. Samuel follows, hiding, moving silently, determined to find a way to rescue them. Each day he confronts the enemy, and the tragedy and horror of this war. But he also discovers allies, men and women working secretly for the patriot cause. And he learns that he must go deep into enemy territory to find his parents: all the way to the British headquarters, New York City.
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"Woods Runner written by Gary Paulsen is a historical fiction novel based at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. A thirteen year old Samuel returns home from a hunting trip to find his parents have been taken captive and all of his neighbors have been murdered by British soldiers and paid Indians. Samuel instantly decides he will rescue his family at any cost. He will spend the next few weeks tracking the captors and in the process gain a scar on his forehead from an Indian Tomahawk, meet some friends who are intending on enlisting in the Rebel troops, meet a very welcoming family that is promptly murdered by Hessians, gains a sister-Annie, and meets a subversive old man all on is way to New York City to rescue his parents. Samuel shows great growth, intelligence, adaptability, and courage for a thirteen year old boy. Paulsen adds historical information at the end of each book such as what actually happened to captives of the British and military information about both sides of the war. The only illustration of this novel is the cover, the image is only dark shadow and bright orange, it is a beautiful contrast that draws the eye in and invites the viewer to investigate the image. The illustration is a wonderful foreshadowing of the book in which the silhouettes of trees and a male figure carrying a long barreled rifle is back lit by a fire. In the novel Samuel never actually came upon a large fire but figuratively the fought fire throughout the book, the immensity and near futility of fight the British is like fighting a fire with only a gun.I recommend this novel for 5th-6th graders due to the more violent images in the book. I think that older elementary school guys would like the historical facts as well as the action that never stops coming throughout the novel as a free-choice read. This is a fantastic historical fiction and i give it 5 of 5 stars. Paulsen has again demonstrated his ability to make his characters and scenes come to life."
— Kelly (5 out of 5 stars)
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Starred review, Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2010: "A superb reflection on the nature of war."
Woods Runner Listener Reviews
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" Woods Runner is a remarkable and unforgiving tale. It opens a new perspective on the Revolutionary War and, as a matter or fact, all the wars in history. It teaches you little-known facts and truths not told in our history books and plunges you into a harsh world where even children are rarely given any mercy. The format of the book is quite new to me (Gary Paulsen wrote the chapters and in between them are bits and pieces of facts to know.) I liked it, but I don't think every author should do it. Overall, the book is short but packed with so much action, emotions, and thoughts. It's quite overwhelming. It's spectacular and a great read for young adults transition to more matured books. "
— Kitty, 2/10/2014 -
" The book is a reale good book . Because there are a lot of aventure . Is about a kid who live in the forest . He do things in the forest there are a lot of fun. "
— Juan, 1/25/2014 -
" My 12 year old son is a "lazy" reader, but hand him a book by Gary Paulsen, and he'll read it! "
— Mslogar, 1/17/2014 -
" Excellent Book..I loved it. "
— Garrece, 12/23/2013 -
" Like all Gary Paulson books, this is another one that would be great for boys. I also would have enjoyed this book when I was younger because he pulls real history into his story plot. "
— Daryn, 12/13/2013 -
" It was just okay for me man. It was a pretty unbelievable story. The book was based on facts but spun into a fictional story that was just too outrageous. "
— Tim, 12/13/2013 -
" I loved this book. I found the combination of Historical Fiction and Adventure to be a wonderful combination. I am currently reading this book with 5-7 graders. They just started it. "
— Donna, 11/25/2013 -
" good. a real page turner "
— Tyler, 10/4/2013 -
" Fairly good Revolutionary War story for kids who can handle some blood & gore, but who are also young enough to not know a lot of details about that period in history. "
— Kristen, 9/2/2013 -
" This book was great! Woods Runner is about a boy that lives in the wilderness. when a war with british soldiers comes to him and his parents are taken prisoners he follows them if you think what i've told u was interesting then u should read this book! "
— Hanna, 1/23/2013 -
" Very interesting, realistic look at the beginnings of the Revolutionary War. "
— Julie, 12/18/2012 -
" Good, fast read. Lots of action as a young boy races to rescue his parents from the British Redcoats as the American Revolution breaks out. "
— Judy, 7/21/2012 -
" Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2011-2012 "
— Marla, 4/13/2012 -
" A good read -- and a good selection for this year's Rebecca Caudill nominees list. "
— Sondra, 1/16/2012 -
" my all time favorite book so far, i loved the suspense the action and the author, "
— Andrew, 12/17/2011 -
" I am really enjoying this book! It is so well written and unique. "
— Sherry, 7/31/2011 -
" The best Gary Paulsen I've read. I enjoyed reading about the Revolutionary War from the standpoint of a 13 year old backwoods boy. I also liked the side notes at the beginning of each chapter giving backstory information about the war. Engaging storyline and characters. Great for reluctant readers. "
— Marilyn, 7/24/2011 -
" A short YA book about the survival of a young boy on the American frontier in 1776. Really well written, but probably best suited to the younger readers as it felt abit simple to me. I'm glad I read it though as I knew very little about that period of time beforehand. "
— Sarah, 5/1/2011 -
" Gary Paulsen sure knows how to tell a survival story with all the brutal details. "
— Crystal, 5/1/2011 -
" Woods Runner is a perfect fit for students wanting to read about adventure and history. This work of historical fiction really brings to life the revolutionary war. It would be a great way to get students to connect and engage with what it was like here during that time period. "
— Anna, 4/27/2011 -
" Rebecca Caudill nomination for 2012 list: JH boys will love this one. Adventure, mystery, suspense! Will he find his parents? Will he be captured by the Indians or British? Who is friend? Who is foe? QUICK read. "
— Renee, 4/25/2011
About Gary Paulsen
Gary Paulsen Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor Books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the ALA for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean
About Danny Campbell
Danny Campbell is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an actor who has appeared in CBS’ The Guardian, the films A Pool, a Fool, and a Duel and Greater Than Gravity, and in over twenty-five commercials. He is a company member of the Independent Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles and is an adjunct faculty member at Santa Monica College.