  | On the run Author: Bourreau, Clara | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
Fourth-grader Anthony has always been told that his father is traveling, so when he finds out that he is in jail awaiting trial, Anthony is upset and confused--but when his father escapes and takes Anthony with him, life becomes really complicated.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 3.80 Points: 3.0 Quiz: 154384 |
Common Core Standards
Grade 3 → Reading → RL Literature → 3.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 3 → Reading → RL Literature → 3.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 3 → Reading → RL Literature → 3.RL Integration & Knowledge of Ideas
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Integration & Knowledge of Ideas
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Rang
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (09/15/12)
School Library Journal (-) (01/01/13)
The Hornbook (00/11/12)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 01/01/2013 Gr 4–5—There's little to engage children in this spare book about a boy who learns that his father is an ex-bank robber serving time. Fourth-grader Anthony Cantes was raised believing his absentee dad, Rafael, is a wildlife photographer who visits exotic locales. The reality, though, is more grit than glamour-his father is awaiting trial for an earlier jail escape. Anthony's older sister, Lise, tells him the truth. After his mother relates a weak, less-than-illuminating back story about Rafael, the boy begs to visit him in prison. Just as his father's trial is about to begin, Anthony finds himself the target of school yard taunts-no one wants to associate with the son of a criminal. Rafael breaks out of jail once again, throwing everything into turmoil. But this time, Anthony takes flight with him. At this point, the story runs away, too, losing all logical focus. Readers will be hard-pressed to believe Rafael's antics, especially the shenanigans he pulls to see his children post-jailbreak. A tepid romance near the novel's end between a policeman's daughter and the protagonist seems more creepy than cute. Ultimately, Bourreau's attempts to manufacture intense drama fail due to flat characterization and an implausible, dull plot.—Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, CA - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
