81 pages • 2 hours read
Gary PaulsenWoods Runner
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen follows 13-year-old Samuel Lehi Smith as he navigates the Pennsylvania frontier during the American War for Independence. After British soldiers attack his settlement and take his parents prisoner, Samuel embarks on a perilous journey to rescue them, garnering help from a network of spies and adopting an orphaned girl named Annie along the way. The book includes depictions of violence and wartime atrocities.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gary Paulsen's Woods Runner has been praised for its engaging narrative and vivid depiction of the American frontier. Readers commend its historical accuracy and the protagonist's resilience. However, some criticize its pacing and note that the detailed descriptions can occasionally slow the story. Overall, it’s a compelling read for both young adults and historical fiction enthusiasts.
Who Should Read Woods Runner?
Readers who enjoyed Hatchet by Gary Paulsen or My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George will appreciate Woods Runner. This novel appeals to middle-grade and young adult readers who relish historical fiction, wilderness survival tales, and gripping adventures set during the American Revolution.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
870L