Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 2000. Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1999. Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1999. Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1998. Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1998. Swear to Howdy, Knopf (New York, NY), 2003. How I Survived Being a Girl, HarperCollins ( New York, NY), 1997. AWARDS, HONORS:Įdgar Allan Poe Award for Best Children's Mystery, Mystery Writers of America, and Best Book for Young Adults selection, American Library Association, both 1999, both for Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Edgar Allan Poe Award nomination for best juvenile, 2001, for Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary, 2003, for Sammy Keyes and the Search for Snake Eyes, and 2004, for Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception Teen's Choice Award, 2004, for Flipped. Worked variously as a teacher of high school math and computer science, a forklift driver, a sports coach, and a musician. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, running, and playing in a rock band. This accessible story of self discovery will interest teens and is a good choice for reluctant readers.Married children: two sons. Her journal entries often include poetry, which add another dimension to the book. The story is told from Holly’s point of view through journal entries as she writes (often reluctantly) to her former teacher. She seems to find comfort in the idea that she is traveling by choice, rather than because she doesnt have a place to call home. Every time she writes of her situation she refers to herself as a gypsy. Holly is also afraid to be called homeless. One is the life and death of her mother and another is that she really wants to have a family, but she is afraid to trust the system. Throughout the story Holly deals with some personal issues through her writing. Even though Holly encounters some scary situations that end with her shaken, but unharmed, she still avoids people from social services. Although she faces little physical danger in the beginning, other than hunger and her fear of getting caught, the reader senses that risk lies right around the corner.

Using her ingenuity she is able to travel across the United States (without hitchhiking) and meets several unique characters in the process. She has runaway several times in the past, but each time was caught after only a few days. Holly is a 12 year old girl who has had some bad experiences in the foster care system.

What grade(s) is this book appropriate for: 6-10

Runaway by wendelin van draanen