On the Run

* Bibliographic information
Coleman, M. On the Run. Penguin, 2003. ISBN: 9780525473183


* Plot Summary
15-year-old Luke is no stranger to the justice system so it makes sense when he gets picked up at the scene of an auto theft. He was not the one who stole the car but he would have, had two thugs not pushed him out of the way at the last moment before taking off with the car. Luke is being charged with trying to get into the car during the crime and for attempting to steal the running shoes of the man who owned the car. Luke does not seem worried about his fate; he just knows he does not want to be locked up. He gets a second chance when the family who lost their car asks the magistrates to consider giving him community service; working with the vision impaired. Luke is told to help Jodi, the family’s blind daughter, train for a marathon. The book follows Luke as he matures and starts to gain confidence in himself through his work with Jodi.


* Critical Evaluation
Luke is a typical youth offender in the beginning of this story; continuing on the same path of self-destruction until he gets caught. A fantastic story of how a person can change when given a chance or a reason to. This would be a great book for teens that are stuck in a similar situation. Coleman created a character that starts out a criminal and becomes a person readers care about. Teens can turn their life around like Luke did by volunteering or helping others. The British terms were hard to understand at times but for the most part the surrounding dialogue helped clear up any confusion.


* Reader’s Annotation
When Luke is caught for stealing a car, his classmates stole, he is faced with jail time. He gets a break when he is offered a lighter sentence; he has to help the girl he saved during the crime, train for a marathon.


* Information about the author
Coleman is a British author who writes young adult novels and children’s books. He lives in the London Borough of Newham. He has written approximately hundred books in his career.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Issues, Crime, Visually-Impaired


* Curriculum Ties, if any
English:
This is a great story; students can learn a lot from the character of Luke and the ability to turn one’s life around.


* Booktalking Ideas
1) Talk about the change in Luke’s self confidence from the beginning to the end of the book; how was he different?
2) How was Jodi affected by her time spent with Luke?
3) Discuss the code among thieves that was mentioned in the book.


* Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8 and Up / 14-18 year olds


* Challenge Issues and Defense
Challenge Issues: Violence and Crime.

Defense Ideas:
1) Ask the patron about the book and issue in question and find out how much they know about the book.
2) Help the patron become more familiar with the book and its content.
3) Show the patron positive reviews for this book, such as ones found on amazon.com; School Library Journal and Booklist, http://www.amazon.com/Run-Michael-Coleman/dp/0525473181/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260320136&sr=1-1.
4) If available, introduce the patron to people who have read it in the library or tell the patron what you thought of the book if you have read it.
5) Show the patron the collection development policy for that particular library. For example, the one for the San Diego County library, http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
6) If they still want to file a grievance about the book begin the necessary paperwork by giving them the forms they need to fill out. In the San Diego County system, the grievance will then go to The Challenged Materials Team. If the committee cannot resolve the issue, it then goes to the County Library Director for a final decision. http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf


* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
I included this book because I like the idea of a character redeeming himself and gaining self-confidence at the same time. Jodi helped Luke become a better person and Luke helped her train for her marathon. They both supplied a friend for one another and that is important as well. I think this is a great book that can be used to teach teens about change and how if you do not like where you are going in life, it is never too late to change it.