Woods Runner

Woods Runner Gary Paulsen

If only life were this simple. If only the problems we faced at this moment concerned the difference between life and death today. It would make our decisions that much easier and perhaps more meaningful as well. We are taught at times to seize the day. But it is so hard without a fire beneath our feet.

I would recommend this book for boys who enjoy historical fiction, 5th through 8th grade. I would also recommend it to anyone who loves books by Gary Paulsen. Like many of Paulsen’s books, the setting is the natural world. There is hunting and tracking. Most importantly, there is survival.

The novel takes place during the Revolutionary War, somewhere between New York, where the British have taken control, and Philadelphia, where the rebels are fortified. The setting is the wild, untamed frontier.

Thirteen-year-old Samuel is our protagonist. He is a woods runner, someone who is more comfortable in the wild, unexplored forest, than in civilization. Someone who knows the woods intimately and even smells green. He is the son of educated parents who grew up in civilized fashion. They can read, write and play musical instruments, but they were also not comfortable in the city. They wanted a peaceful place where they could enjoy the fruits of their hard labor and quiet contemplation.

Samuel is out hunting bear to put meat on the family dinner table. He is perhaps farther than he has ever tracked before. When he looks towards home, he sees smoke – unusual smoke. Concerned, he returns home as quickly as possible. He finds a massacre. Native Americans, Iroquois, working with the Red Coats have slaughtered the people, children included, of this small frontier village. They have looted and burned the log cabins.

Samuel cannot find his own parents among the dead. A superb tracker, Samuel sees that his parents have been taken captive. After burying the dead to the best of his ability, Samuel sets off to trail his enemies and rescue his parents.

Along the way, Samuel acquires scars, friends and a sister. He also discovers that killing other humans does not sit well with him. But he knows in his heart that his passion will be helping others as he has been helped.

This is a quick read because it is so captivating. Between each chapter is an historical reference to help educate the reader. This book reminds me of a condensed and action filled My Side of the Mountain meets Johnny Tremain. This proves to me that the quiet book can still be written in this century and still be as full of meaning.

It makes me realize that the troubles of modern children are very different although no less life-changing or inhibiting. Samuel had so much more to be unhappy about, but he grew from it and took action. How very different from Greetings from Nowhere.