The Runaways by Ulf Stark

A boy and his crotchety grandfather hatch an elaborate escape plan to enjoy one last day together.

The Runaways by Ulf Stark, illustrated by Kitty Crowther. Gecko Press, 2020, 129 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 7-11

Grandpa was difficult. He always had been but now he was worse than ever. He got angry and shouted. He spat out the pills that would make him nice and calm. And he yelled at the nurses.

Grandpa and Dad don’t get along because their personalities are polar opposite. But Gottfried Jr. (our narrator) “liked it when Grandpa got angry. It made life more exciting.” An 11-year-old boy may not understand the difficulty of dealing with a grouchy heart patient, but he does understand, at an instinctive level at least, Grandpa’s need to touch base with his old home and his deceased wife one more time. That’s why Gottfried Jr. comes up with a plan to escape, for one day and night, to the small island off the coast of Sweden where Grandma and Grandma spent their happiest years.

The plan involves a lot of lying, because neither of Gottfried’s parents would approve. It also involves a lot of careful planning, in  which a teenage friend—who can drive—plays a necessary part. The plan goes off without a hitch. Was it worth the cost? And the lying?

The author implies that it was, but leaves moralizing to the reader. This simple story goes deep in exploring personality, family relationships, everyday ethics, and life after death. No answers, but good questions. The story takes place in autumn and the pensive mood is autumnal. It’s no surprise that Grandpa is on the edge of passing and Gottfried Jr. will go on, but their lives are richer for each other. (Some of the frantic pen drawings, by an Astrid Lindgrin-award winner, may be a bit jarring.)

Considerations:

• There’s talk of heaven, but none of God.
• Lying, again, is a big issue.
• Grandpa swears a lot, but no actual swear words are recorded and he’s reminded that there are better ways to talk.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• A grandfather can have a profound effect in a young person’s life (and grandmothers too). See our reviews of Rebound, The Turnover, The Magic in Changing Your Stars, Hey Kiddo, and (just for fun) The Boy Who Grew Dragons.

• And don’t forget picture-book grandpas! As in Tea with Grandpa and Me and Grandpa.

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