



Runner
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4.1 • 468 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
It's 1919, Richmond football club is on top of the ladder, cream buns are threepence each and four boys are gunning for the best job in town. Charlie is lucky enough to win the prime job – running messages for Squizzy Taylor, the most dangerous gangster in Melbourne. But things start to get a little too hot for Charlie, so he decides to take the money and run . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Australian author Newton's touching coming-of-age story starring 16-year-old Charlie Feehan is set in 1919 Melbourne. After his father's death, Charlie still wears knickerbockers at school, "but once the lessons were over, I returned home and stepped into the long pants of adulthood." Responsible for caring for his impoverished family, Charlie runs several miles nightly, in an effort to cast off the inescapable cold at home ("To be poor was to be cold. The two were the same"). Charlie's speed attracts the attention of local crime boss Squizzy Taylor who offers him a job as a runner, delivering goods and collecting payments. Though Charlie's mother forbids him from accepting the position, he skips school to take the job. However, he eventually discovers that Squizzy's world is far too dangerous. When Charlie's friend and fellow runner, Norman "Nostrils" Heath, is crippled by a gang attack, Charlie, paralyzed by fear, is unable to come to his friend's defense. Charlie's neighbor, Mr. Redman, offers to train him for the big Bellarat Mile Race, and Charlie sees this as his best opportunity for redemption. The youth's growing friendship with Nostrils is especially tender, as is a subplot centering on a nascent romantic interest. Newton's writing teems with bright, engaging dialogue, a compelling historical setting and fully developed characters; this outing should easily win him U.S. fans. Ages 10 up.
Customer Reviews
Actually a pretty awesome book
We had to read this for English and first I thought it was going to be kind of boring. But no, it’s actually good. It gives us a vivid perspective of Charlie’s life and everyone and everything that is surrounded by him. It’s so intriguing and some parts just put me into a complete shock. The author has successfully put in elements of Richmond in the 1919 and Squizzy Taylor. Overall, a great book and I would recommend the book.
Title
Heh... well... this book... I felt a real connection to it, since my family are in a... similar (obviously slightly better, because of the age we live in)... situation as Charlie's family was near the start of the book... I just wanna thank the author for writing his books... well...
I'm out
Runner
To dem idits dat can’t red, i am the best gangster in my scool and i am rich af like ninja. Use code Charlie feehan